Range of free and low-cost courses include gardening, computers, smartphones, fitness and more
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University, and Adult Education programs. CURE is enrolling now for fall sessions. The offerings include:
IUN Community Garden: Putting the Garden to Bed for the Winter
3 to 4 p.m., Friday, October 14
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 13
Free and open to adults of all ages!
Join Dolly Foster, Landscape Horticulturist, and learn how to prepare your garden for harsh winter weather. We will discuss whether to cut down perennials, how to prepare roses for winter, best practices for planting trees and spring bulbs in fall, how to start a compost pile with fall leaves, winter tool care, and much more! Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
IUN Community Garden: Gardening for the Birds
Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 25
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 24
Free and open to adults of all ages!
Do you want to attract birds to your backyard? Then join Master Gardener Susan Radovich for this live Zoom session and learn how to attract birds by making an inviting environment. Participants will learn what plants attract the birds in our Midwest region as well as what species of birds you are most likely to attract. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Adult Education/Senior University: Detecting Fake News and Misinformation for the 2022 Election
Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 11
Concurrent via Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 10
Free and open to adults of all ages
As we get closer to Election Day 2022, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between unreliable news stories and unbiased coverage, including on candidates running for our local offices. Join Nico Casas, librarian from IU Northwest, either in-person at IUN or on Zoom to learn how to identify misinformation on the web and seek the best unbiased information for the upcoming elections. Session participants will learn simple steps to protect themselves from misinformation, to include news on popular social media networks. Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6978.
Adult Education/Senior University: LinkedIn 101
1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 13
Zoom/Facebook Live
No Registration Required
Free and open to adults of all ages
Offered in collaboration with the Gary Housing Authority/Gary EnVision Center, this live Zoom/Facebook Live session will cover the basics of using the professional networking platform LinkedIn. If you are looking for new employment opportunities, a promotion on a current job, or to hire an outstanding employee, then join seasoned communications professional Chelsea Whittington to get tips for using LinkedIn and creating a polished profile that's sure to get noticed! Residents of Gary: Join the live Zoom meeting (Meeting ID: 656 209 3363 and Passcode: teamwork). Residents of other locals can watch the live stream on the Gary Housing Authority Facebook page.
Senior University: Phishing and Identity Theft
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, October 28
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have email, use social media, or even text on your mobile device, then you are a target for phishing. Phishing is an attempt to trick you into divulging personal confidential information that a cybercriminal can use to steal money or even your identity. Join Tatyana Otero at IU Northwest for this in-person session so that you can learn to recognize the hallmark signs of phishing and stay safer online. Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Smartphones III for Androids
2 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays, November 1, 15, and 29
Concurrent via Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 24
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! Led by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor, these sessions are designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their Android smartphones. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps, and so much more! Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: LinkedIn 101
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays, November 2 and 16
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 25
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Looking for new employment opportunities, a promotion on your current job, or to hire an outstanding employee? Then join seasoned communications professional Chelsea Whittington at IUN and learn how to accomplish all this and more using the professional networking platform LinkedIn. These in-person sessions will cover the basics for using LinkedIn as well as tips for creating a polished profile that is sure to get noticed. Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Smartphones III for iPhones
2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, November 3, 10, and 17
Concurrent via Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, October 26
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! Led by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor, these sessions are designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their iPhone smartphones. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps, and so much more! Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Exploring Google Maps on PCs
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, November 11
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, November 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Leslie Kiser for this in-person session at IU Northwest and explore one of the most helpful apps that Google has to offer – Google Maps. Free to use and available for both desktop and mobile devices, this class will introduce you to the desktop version of Google Maps. Register today so that you can learn how to find your way around and view the world in a new way with Google Maps! Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Hard Bop Jazz
6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 14 and Thursday, November 17
Zoom Meeting – with option to dial-in by phone
Registration Deadline: Noon, November 11
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Billy Foster, jazz pianist and composer, for these live Zoom sessions on the study of the Hard Bop period in jazz. The sessions will explore the music, history, and progression of the Hard Bop masters. Participants will hear the music of Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Cannonball Adderley, and others. Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Going Wireless: How to Use Wi-Fi
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, November 18
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, November 10
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Want Internet access on the go? Then join Tatyana Otero for this for this in-person session at IU Northwest to learn all about Wi-Fi, the wireless Internet connection available at many public places such as coffee shops, libraries, and airports. In this session, you will learn how to connect to Wi-Fi as well as what safety precautions you may want to take when joining public Wi-Fi connections. Participants are encouraged to bring their Wi-Fi capable mobile devices (e.g., smartphone, iPad, tablet, laptop, etc.). Email users, register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG. All others call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Wellness on the Web
2 to 3 p.m., Thursday, December 8
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, December 7
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Get started on your journey to a healthier you by joining Leslie Kiser on Zoom for an introductory session on online health and wellness resources. During this session we will discuss the types of websites you can use to learn about health issues, online workout resources, as well as health-related mobile apps. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Senior University: Introduction to Password Managers
Noon to 1:30 p.m., Monday, December 12
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, December 9
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Frustrated with all the long incomprehensible passwords that you need to stay safe online? Are you using the same password everywhere, or using passwords that are not secure because it’s so hard to keep track of them? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then join Tatyana Otero for this live Zoom session and learn how to easily ramp up your online safety by using a password manager app. In this session you will learn what features to look for when choosing a password manager as well as how to install and use the popular app, LastPass, your desktop and mobile device. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun, and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board so that you can interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging and motivating you to succeed.
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
These online Career Track programs offer students a chance to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in the self-paced format and have opportunities for national certification, externship placement, and/or career support. For select healthcare programs, there is also the option for the instructor-led format, in which content is facilitated by live instructors with scheduled webinars and interactive activities. Enroll, learn more, or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks at iun.edu2.com.
