Free Technology Classes for Older Adults in Montgomery County: Where to Get Hands-On Help

If a smartphone setting, video call, online form, or privacy warning has you stuck, you do not have to solve it alone. Montgomery County residents can find free, beginner-friendly technology classes through Senior Planet and Montgomery County Public Libraries, with sessions held at libraries, senior centers, and recreation facilities around the county.

I recommend starting with one task you want to handle more confidently, then choosing a class that matches it. A focused goal—such as learning Android basics or protecting your privacy—usually makes the first visit more useful than trying to “learn computers” all at once.

Two good places to find free technology help

Senior Planet classes at Montgomery County partner sites

Senior Planet’s Montgomery County page lists free in-person lectures, workshops, and multi-week courses. The program does not operate from one permanent county center. Instead, classes rotate among partner sites such as libraries, senior centers, and recreation centers.

Senior Planet’s fall schedule, checked October 30, 2026, lists several upcoming examples: Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance at Aspen Hill Library on November 4 at 10:30 a.m.; Everyday Uses of AI at Olney Library on November 12 at 1 p.m.; and Getting to Know Your Android Smartphone at Connie Morella Library on November 17 at 1 p.m. These are local class examples, not a guarantee of available seats. Check the live Senior Planet listing for the date, time, location, and registration instructions before going.

Senior Planet lists 888-713-3495 as its Montgomery County contact number. Its multi-week course page says those courses require registration in person or by phone rather than online. One-time lectures may use different registration rules, so read the individual class listing before you go.

Montgomery County Public Libraries’ live event calendar

The MCPL computer and technology skills calendar is another useful starting point. It lets you see library events in one place and check the branch, time, age group, and registration details for each program.

This calendar is especially helpful if you already use a nearby branch and want a shorter class rather than a multi-week course. Check the listing again on the day you plan to attend, and contact the branch if you need an accommodation or are unsure whether you should bring your own device.

Pick a class by the task you want to complete

Technology classes are easier to use when the topic solves a real problem. Here are a few sensible matches:

• Smartphone basics: calls, contacts, photos, settings, larger text, and common accessibility features.

• Privacy and scam prevention: suspicious links, stronger passwords, app permissions, account alerts, and safer browsing.

• Staying connected: video calls, email, messaging, social media, and sharing photos with family.

• Online services: appointment portals, library resources, transportation information, and benefit websites.

• Money tools: learning how payment or banking apps work before deciding whether to use them.

A class can explain how a tool works, but an instructor should not need your banking password, Social Security number, Medicare number, or one-time security code. If an activity reaches a sensitive account, ask the instructor to demonstrate on a sample screen while you keep control of your own information.

A practical first-class checklist

Before leaving home, I would prepare these six items:

• Confirm the date, year, time, address, and registration requirement on the live event page.

• Charge the phone, tablet, or laptop you want to use and bring its charger.

• Write down one or two specific questions in plain language.

• Know your device type and model if possible, such as iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Windows laptop.

• Make sure your recovery phone number or email is current, but do not carry a visible list of passwords.

• Bring glasses, hearing devices, or other aids you normally use for reading and conversation.

After class, practice the same task within a day or two. A short note such as “Settings → Display → Text size” is more useful than several pages of general instructions. If you are helping a parent or spouse, let that person tap the buttons and repeat the steps. Doing it for them may be faster once, but it does not build confidence.

Why Montgomery County supports this training

Montgomery County’s FY27 services-for-seniors description says Senior Planet training is offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. The county connects digital skills with independent living, health information, finances, employment, staying in touch, and detecting scams. That is a useful reminder that technology help is not just about gadgets; it can reduce everyday friction and make it easier to stay connected.

Those benefits do not require becoming an expert. Being able to recognize a suspicious message, adjust a phone setting, or join a family video call is meaningful progress.

Keep learning without putting private information at risk

For a new app or website, practice with information that is not sensitive. Pause if anyone asks for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or an unexpected remote-access download. Do not rush because a message says an account will close immediately.

If you are worried that money or personal information has already been taken, use my local guide to report elder financial exploitation in Montgomery County. It explains who to call and what evidence to preserve.

Related local help

For a homebound reader who cannot easily visit a branch, my guide to Montgomery County’s free Books@Home library delivery explains who the service is for and how to apply.

Your next step

Open the current Senior Planet or library calendar, choose one class tied to a task you care about, and save the date and location. One well-chosen session is a manageable way to build skill without turning technology into a full-time project.