Sep 10
22
New iPad Class
Adult and Community Education will start a new class for iPad users on Thursday, November 4th. Info is on our lifelong learning site.
My friend was packing for a road trip recently and found yet another new use for her iPad. She realized that many things that she expected to pack for the trip were already “packed”. No extra tote bags or large handbag – just her 1-1/2 pound iPad – all she had to do was pick it up and go! Being a voracious reader, she already had her current “reads” included in the iBooks app – no need to pick out two or three favorites; she could take along all of them. Her dictionary was there too – just in case she needed it. She didn’t need to pack the bird book – she has an app for it that even includes audio bird calls! The photographs she wanted to show family and friends were already packed in the photo album app –and the bright, clear screen made showing them even more enjoyable. En route, she passed the time with music files, podcasts, and newspapers (USA Today and BBC News – she could even check in on the home front with the Naples Daily News). The Maps app, not only kept her on course, but also helped her find restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, and gas stations – without driving around aimlessly, hoping to find something. After a long day of driving, she located a nearby restaurant and ordered dinner via the internet. The calendar kept track of when she was to head off to her next destination and the entire contents of her address book was in the Contacts app. When planning the next day’s outings, she checked the weather forecast (and then found a map to the museum)! Her trip was not all fun and games; she paid bills and checked account balances – no worries about finding something past due upon her return home.
She couldn’t find apps to replace her water bottle or binoculars, but her load was a lot lighter because she packed her iPad!
Learning brings out the Young! Original! Unlimited! in YOU!
Aug 10
18
Exercise for a Healthy Brain
My wife and I like to work the word and number puzzles in the local paper. We work them because they are fun, but in the back of my mind I’d like to think that they are keeping my mind sharp.
In a recent article in the Naples Daily News, the writer suggests that specific lifestyle changes can actually enhance brain fitness. I always thought that ages 3 to 5 are the critical period for brain development, but Paul David Nussbaum, a clinical neuropsychologist and adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, says that the brain-cell connections can be built at any age! “Learning to knit, speaking a new language, joining a yoga class, figuring out how to change the oil in your car – all of these are good for the brain.” In addition to lifestyle changes that include socialization, mental stimulation, spirituality, and nutrition, Nussbaum suggests that physical activity also helps enhance brain fitness. I suppose that makes sense, considering that a significant percent of blood flow from each heartbeat is used by the brain. (No wonder my brain seems sluggish if I’m not exercising regularly!)
Maybe the puzzles should be only part of my path to brain fitness. I think I’ll keep solving the puzzles, but enrolling in the Lifelong Learning classes that begin Sept. 7-13 is sounding good too. Now I know that whether it’s a class in computers, languages, the arts, photography, or business & finance, even the physical fitness classes can enhance my brain fitness.
Come and exercise your brain and your body – learning has no age restrictions!
Learning brings out the Young! Original! Unlimited! in YOU!
Jun 10
7
Guns to Gigobytes to God
Ed Morgan is retiring this Friday from an incredible career of teaching business and computer courses at Barron Collier H.S. and Cypress Palm M.S. In addition to that 23-year span, Ed serves as an auxiliary officer for the Florida Highway Patrol and did engineering work for FP&L.
Ed taught a variety of Adult and Community Education classes under my supervision, over a hundred courses in all, and I’ve never received single complaint about him in all those years–only praise from his admiring students.
Brother Morgan, as I often call him, is now going to lend his helpful hand in world-wide missionary work for his church. Ed has shown me that you CAN discuss politics AND religion in a civil, and even friendly manner–even when the parties disagree.
Ed Morgan’s higher callings to protect us from the bad guys, teach our youth and our lifelong learners, and serve the world by demonstrating the love of our heavenly father in action, have built the character (and he is a character!) of this gentle man who who makes us think and makes us laugh. I’ll never forget you, Ed.
Learning brings out the Young! Original! Unlimited! in YOU!
I was surprised to learn that I can have a garden on my own condo property here in Southwest Florida.
Square Foot Organic Gardening was popularized by Mel Bartholomew, who has a non-profit foundation with the purpose of ending world hunger. I’d like to walk in that direction…one “Foot” at a time!
Square Foot Gardening is the most economical way to garden. On your patio, porch, or a sunny window sill, you can create a garden filled with beautiful flowers, luscious vegetables, and fresh herbs, with no weeds or hard work. I think I’ll try to help with tomato shortage.
Teach someone how to garden and they can can feed themselves. Dave Crowther will show us how to garden in less space with less work in the Adult and Community Education class that starts Thursday, June 10, in Naples FL.
Learning brings out the Young! Original! Unlimited! in YOU!
Clay Hess, who earned two Grammys while playing with Ricky Skaggs, likes to come to Naples to fish with Joe McNichols. Joe teaches both a Fishing Class and a Bluegrass Jamming Class for the Collier County Schools Community Education program.
During his latest trip to Naples, Clay Hess delighted the Bluegrass Jamming class as a guest. Clay gave invaluable tips and examples of how to harmonize on bluegrass songs. I never realized that a good harmonizer modifies the timbre of his or her own voice to match the lead singer.
Clay practiced with the students, alternately singing the lead, tenor, and baritone parts. The students had a little trouble at first holding their own part when singing it individually, but when some classmates joined in on the same part, it sounded really good.
The continuing education students learned a lot about vocal harmonizing last week, but they’re such an everyone-welcome, fun-to-be-with group that the harmony goes well beyond just singing. There’s a sweet harmony when everyone just gets along and has a good time! Joe has gone fishin’ for the summer. His lifelong learning classes will start back right after Labor Day.
Learning brings out the Young! Original! Unlimited! in YOU!
May 10
3
Welcome to our blog!
The Collier County Adult Education Program is pleased to announce our new blog, as part of our efforts to connect with all Collier County seasonal and full time residents who wish to learn or sharpen their skills or simply have fun.
Sign up for Lifelong Learning to create a masterpiece, conquer your computer, speak a foreign language, become a financial wizard, exercise, dance the Tango, and so much more!
1. Browse the Lifelong Learning Class Schedule.
2. Learn about Registration & Fees.
3. View our Campus Locations.
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