Tech Savvy Seniors - Introduction to Smartphones

In the past, mobile phones were mostly about making phone calls. They had a number pad, a digital phone book and a pick-up/hang-up button and not much more. Now smartphones offer so much more. They're fully fledged computers that you an fit in your pocket. They can run programs and games, access the internet, send email and much more.

Nearly all smartphones now use touchscreen controls. Instead of having hardware buttons, one side of the phone is taken up mostly by a touchscreen that you control usng taps and gestures. When you want to make a call, a number pad will pop up on the touchscreen - there aren't even any number buttons. Becoming familiar with a smartphone can take a little bit of practice. But when you do become familar with it, you'll find that a smartphone can do more than you ever thought possible on a mobile phone.

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

• Maybe you've never owned a mobile and are curious about why you would choose a smartphone. Perhaps you want a mobile phone that does more than your current keypad-style handset, or are looking to learn more about the smartphone you already own currently does.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!

What to Bring

• Notepad and pen
• An internet-connected smartphone, You may need to share a smartphone with others in the workshop.
• An existing Apple account (or Apple ID), for downloading apps to an iPhone smartphone.
• An existing Google account (or Google ID) for downloading apps to an Android smartphone.

Course Outline

Topics include:

• The basics of how to navigate your way around a smartphone with a touchscreen.
• How to turn the phone on and off
• Make and receive calls
• Add a contact and look up a contact
• Change the volume on the phone
• Briefly about apps - what they are, how to download them, and the costs associated with them.

A smartphone can:

• Make voice calls (of course!)
• Make video calls
• Access the internet and browse the web
• Navigate with GPS if the phone has GPS built-in
• Play back music an video stored on the phone (and connect to a PC to copy media to it)
• Manage your contacts and appointments
• Send emails
• Play in-built games
• Run new applications and games downloaded for the Internet

Course Outcome

After this workshop, you should be able to handle a smartphone without fear. You will learn:

What a smartphone is

• What a touchscreen is and how gestures work
• How to make a call and take a picture
• How to download new apps for your smartphone

Prerequisite: Desirable

• No previous knowledge is required

Important Information

• To get the most out of a smartphone, you need a mobile plan that includes data. This is not strictly necessary, but you can still use a smartphone without a data plan - but you won't be able to access the internet, download new applications and send emails without it. In some cases, you may not be able to use GPS navigation.

Delivery Mode

Classroom based: experienced and engaging trainers will take you through the course material face to face.

Classroom based learning for this course includes:

• Scheduled class times and sessions
• Interaction with your trainer and other students
• Workshop is delivered in a computer room

Please note: Government COVID-19 regulations and recommendations, including appropriate social distancing measures, hand washing and other hygiene protocols will be in place at all times and may result in course delivery changes.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!