All Things Apple! with Beryn Hammil
1400 Fifth Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
USA
Scroll down to see the full schedule of topics through December 19th.
If you have an Apple computer, iPad, or iPhone, and aren’t sure that you’re getting the most out of it or using it properly, join “chic geek” Beryn Hammil to help you figure it out. Her classes are the perfect solution to give you the start you need and eventually take you beyond the basics, including how to protect yourself from online hackers, how to create safer passwords that are easy to retrieve, how to download and update software and apps, and much more.
All Things Apple is a series of classes for both beginner and intermediate Apple users. You’ll discover how to get the most out of your computer, iPhone and iPad by learning how to set up each device to suit your needs, and how to use your device to its best advantage to be more efficient and effective in your life, travels, work, and play by using the applications that come already installed in the device, as well as helpful third party apps.
In each of these classes you’ll learn how to navigate, customize, and function effectively with your device. Since the functionality of the iPhone and iPad is almost the same, coming to these classes will benefit you no matter which device you’re using.
Unless otherwise indicated, in these classes we’ll discuss each topic as it applies to the iPhone, iPad and Apple computer, so no matter where your interest lies, we’ll cover it.
All of these are drop-in classes with no pre-requisite or commitment necessary. And, they’re free! Choose individual classes based on your interests and needs, or participate in the entire series; you’re sure to learn something new each week including information about tech related products that might benefit you. And, each week you’ll learn new “Tips & Tricks” that make using your device or computer easier. Of course, questions are welcomed because you’re probably not alone, and everyone can learn from the answers.
PARTICIPANT ENDORSEMENTS:
If you’re still in doubt as to whether these classes are for you, here’s part of what a 70+ year old, retired professional says about them:
“I decided to give [this class] a try, and was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Hammil has a rare gift for explaining complex subjects. Moreover, she has a great sense of humor, a commodity I find in very short supply these days.”
Other comments from participants:
“You made some very complex stuff easy to understand.”
“I continue to learn more each week.”
“There’s always something new to learn. Thank you for sharing it with us.”
“You have created a forum that is an invaluable service. It really is a great opportunity to expand our knowledge our communication with each other.” Sandy P.
The City of San Rafael Volunteer Office highlighted Beryn’s service to the library in their October 2017 Newsletter. Click here for the article.
PLEASE NOTE; Topic descriptions are the starting point for each class and despite it looking like a repetition of prior semester classes, there’s always more to discuss because of changing technology and multiple approaches to the same function. Students’ questions are encouraged because they expand the discussion and learning opportunity for everyone.
Each class will begin with a few minutes to review interesting tech items that were in the news that week. During the two hours students will learn at least one tech tip designed to make using their Apple device easier, more efficient, or more fun.
Additionally, the last 15 minutes of each class will be “open discussion” to answer questions that students might have on any Apple tech related topic, including 3rd party apps available in Apple’s App Store.
No Class January 2nd and 9th
THURSDAY, January 16th – SAFARI
1:00 – 2:00 Learn how to search the Internet for anything on any of your devices and computer with this application. Learn which search engine gives you the most privacy and least ads.
2:00 – 3:00 Once you’ve learned how to find something online, learn how to create bookmarks and bookmark folders for easy retrieval later. Learn how to navigate quickly from one search window to another using tabs, and more handy tips & tricks in Safari.
THURSDAY, January 23rd – EMAIL & MESSAGES
1:00 – 2:00 First, learn how to set up email accounts on all your devices, like iCloud (Apple’s email service), Comcast, GMail or other email providers. Learn how create “mailboxes” and save emails, even between one email account and another, into mailboxes so you stayed well organized.
2:00 – 3:00 Next, learn how Messages differs from email, and how to use it to stay in touch more quickly. Learn how to compose messages, share and save photos, and even share your location for brief, effective communications.
THURSDAY, January 30th – REMINDERS & NOTES
1:00 – 2:00 For those of you who makes lists for just about everything, Apple’s Reminders app is a way to stay well-organized and reminded about when you need to do what. Learn how to create a Reminder, how to create Reminder lists, add sub-categories, and stay on top of what still needs to be done in a timely manner.
|2:00 – 3:00 Notes is another wonderful way to keep track of those things that used to reside on little slips of paper that you could never find when you needed them. Learn how to scan documents with this app, take and/or import photos and mark them up, and add PDF files and web links to a Note. Learn how to organize all your Notes with folders, prioritize them with pins, and share them with other people. Learn how to sync your Notes to all your devices so a change you make to a Note on one device is automatically updated on all your devices.
THURSDAY, February 6th – WALLET, FILES, APPLE TV, BOOKS|
1:00 – 2:00 Learn how Apple’s Wallet App can save you time when checking out at a store that uses this technology, save and use a QR code when boarding a flight and saving tickets to events. Learn how Apple’s Files app allows you to access documents that are on your computer from your iPhone and iPad even when you’re not near the computer or it’s turned off.
2:00 – 3:00 Apple TV gives you access to movies, music, TV shows, and your photos. It allows you to stream movies from online sources, send images from your devices to your TV screen and plays music through your TV’s sound system from any one of many music streaming services and your iPhone. Yes, it’s another device to purchase, but so worth it! Apple’s Books app is a way to read books on your devices that are available for free or to purchase using your Apple account and then download to any of your devices. Many books are free, including manuals to learn more about your Apple devices and the California Driver’s License test manual. So many books, so little time!
THURSDAY, February 13th – CREATING, SAVING & RETRIEVING DOCUMENTS ON ALL YOUR DEVICES
1:00 – 2:00 First, a quick overview on how to create a document using Apple’s Pages and Microsoft’s Word applications on your computer. Then learn how to create folders in which to save all your documents in a well-organized manner, and how to retrieve them later.
2:00 – 3:00 Learn how to create “tags” for all your documents and files, and how organize them by color and category for easy retrieval later. Learn about “Stacks” for your computer and how to use Apple’s “Files” app on your iPhone and iPad so you can view, retrieve and work on anything from anywhere in the world.
THURSDAY, February 20th – SIRI, NOTIFICATIONS AND MORE TIPS & TRICKS
1:00 – 2:00 The iPhone, iPad and Mac computer have a wonderful capability in Siri; you can talk to it (her) and it (she) will enhance your user experience exponentially! Learn what it can do and how to maximize it.
2:00 – 3:00 Notifications is a function within your devices that keeps you up to date on anything that you want. Learn how to it set up and effectively use it even with 3rd party apps. Learn where to find and learn many more Tips & Tricks right within your iPhone and iPad and online.
THURSDAY, February 27th – OPEN DISCUSSION
1:00 – 3:00 pm Open Discussion is an opportunity for you to ask any question about Apple devices, apps, and technology that might not have been addressed in a previous class. But this is also the class that gives me the jitters whenever I see it on the schedule! Why? Because I have no idea what the questions will be… unless…. you email them to me a few days prior to the class. This will give me an opportunity to do some research so I’m sure to give you the best answer possible. Of course, I’ll also do my best to answer some questions “on the fly.” When I do, it’s likely that you’ll learn how to find answers online as that’s where all the answers are.
THURSDAY, March 5th – CATCH ALL TOPICS
1:00 – 3:00 This class will give me the opportunity to follow up on anything that might have gone unanswered in the previous week’s Open Discussion class. Additionally, a variety of smaller topics like Voice Mail, Lock Screen images, Find My, Widgets, Notifications, Settings, etc., will be addressed.
Beryn will take a break starting March 6th. Classes will resume on Thursday, April 16th.
PLEASE NOTE; Topic descriptions are the starting point for each class and despite it looking like a repetition of prior semester classes, there’s always more to discuss because of changing technology and multiple approaches to the same function. Students’ questions are encouraged because they expand the discussion and learning opportunity for everyone.
Each class will begin with a few minutes to review interesting tech items that were in the news that week. During the two hours students will learn at least one tech tip designed to make using their Apple device easier, more efficient, or more fun.
Additionally, the last 15 minutes of each class will be “open discussion” to answer questions that students might have on any Apple tech related topic, including 3rd party apps available in Apple’s App Store.
Thursday, April 16th – eMail
1:00 – 2:00 First, learn how to set up email accounts like iCloud (Apple’s email service), Comcast, GMail or other email providers on all your devices. Learn how create “mailboxes” and save emails into them so you stayed well organized, even between one email account and another.
2:00 – 3:00 Learn how to locate specific emails using the search function so you can retrieve an email easily, and how to use colored flags on an email so it gets your attention, can be organized and retrieved by topic.
Thursday, April 23rd – Photos
1:00 – 2:00 Learn how to edit your photos in the Apple “Photos” app in your iPhone and iPad. You’ll learn that a change to the photo in one device keeps the change in all of them when the devices are synced through iCloud and then how to get back to the original photo.
2:00 – 3:00 Learn how to share your beautifully edited photos via eMail, Messages, and even on the Apple TV so you can view them on your television set.
Thursday, April 30th – Travel
1:00 – 3:00 Since everyone loves the classes related to Travel, we’ll spend the entire two hours discussing how to use a variety of travel related apps, even if they’re 3rd party apps. You’ll also get links to interesting articles about travel tips to keep you safe in the world, as well as how to use 3rd party travel guides. Come to class with your own recommendations to share with your fellow students and travelers.
Thursday, May 7th – Maps
1:00 – 2:00 Now that you’ve learned how where to go, what to do there, and how to stay safe in the world from our Travel class, learn how to navigate in it using the Maps app. This app is constantly being updated with new features, so it’s even better now than the last time we reviewed it.
2:00 – 3:00 With the Maps app, learn how to locate nearby restaurants, hotels, sites, as well as your BlueTooth enabled car when you become even more familiar with Maps.
Thursday, May 14th – The “Basics”
1:00 – 2:00 Because the iPhone and iPad’s operating system was recently updated, there are now new ways to do the things we thought we knew how to do. So learn again how to navigate around your iPhone and/or iPad so you can customize it to suit your needs and make it work better for you. Learn how to find apps for your devices in the App Store and how to create folders for them to stay well organized and you more efficient.
2:00 – 3:00 Learn basic typing functions like how to copy, cut and paste text, how to correct a mistake, insert a photo into an email or message, and other handy keyboard tips & tricks. Learn about 3D Touch so you have shortcuts to do familiar functions in a new way.
Thursday, May 21st – Open discussion/Catch all class
1:00 – 3:00 For these two hours we will address whatever Apple product related questions you have. This could include Apple TV, the Apple Watch, Air Pods, computer, iPhone and iPad. You will also learn how to answer these types of questions yourself using various online sites so you can find answers whenever you need them.
More classes to come…
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