Variety of free and low-cost courses are available for learners of all ages
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers various non-credit courses and educational programs from September through October. Registration is open for these programs aimed 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/Senior Planet, Reading Skills and Adult Education programs.
CURE is now enrolling for the following programs:
Senior University & Adult Education Courses
For Senior University and Adult Education Courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.
Senior & Adult Ed: Enroll
Senior Planet: MyChart
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, Sept. 23
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 9
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health-record portal that works both in a web browser and app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Asthma Self-Management & Self-Care
12-1:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Sept. 15 for in-person, Sept. 25 for Zoom
Free and open to adults of all ages
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs. People can experience various levels of breathing difficulties when it comes to asthma. This educational segment will help you understand asthma, how to effectively control it with medication, management tools and good health habits. We will also discuss the importance of developing asthma action plans, environment assessments and accessing valuable, trusted resources.
All others call 219-980-6978.
IUN Community Garden: Stump the Experts: Gardening Q&A Panel
12-1:15 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 27
Free and open to adults of all ages
Come prepared with all your gardening questions and put our panel of gardening experts to the test! This Zoom meeting will provide participants with an opportunity to get expert advice, share their own successes and gain knowledge from other gardeners. This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Think Before You Share: Protect Yourself from Misinformation in US Elections 2024
1-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 17
Free and open to adults of all ages
With Election Day 2024 around the corner, it can be difficult to distinguish between biased news stories, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep fakes on social media. It often affects our choices for candidates running in local, state and national offices. Presented through a non-partisan lens by Nico Casas, a librarian from IU Northwest, learn how to identify misinformation on the web through lateral reading techniques. This session will include viewing news on popular social media networks, recognizing deep fakes, AI and tools used by professional fact checkers.
Register at the link above or call 219-980-6978.
Senior University: Preserving History through Multimedia Art
3-5 p.m., Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 18
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Jessica Renslow, multimedia specialist, for this five-part, in-person series to learn how to preserve personal/local history through multimedia art. Multimedia art combines different content types such as images, text, audio, video and/or animation into a single work of art. In this class, participants will learn the basics of color theory, graphic design, video editing and audio editing. These skills will be used to create a multimedia work of art, which participants can choose to present at a public showcase in spring 2025.
Activities are made possible in part by South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Senior University: Introduction to Computers
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fridays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 19
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you are interested in learning the basics of operating a personal computer (PC), or could use a refresher, then this is the series for you! Led by Chelsea Whittington, this in-person series will introduce those who have little to no knowledge about computer use to the fundamentals while also providing a refresher for computer users with a bit more experience. Participants will learn to identify the primary parts of a computer, understand commonly used terms, access basic programs such as Microsoft Word and the internet and gain new tips and tricks!
Senior Planet: Saving Money with Tech
Class if offered two different times/locations:
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Noon, Sept. 23
-OR-
1-2:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Noon, Nov. 5
Free and open to adults ages 60+
The internet can open a new world for saving money and managing your finances. This presentation introduces online banking and goes over how to keep your financial information safe. You’ll also learn about online shopping and explore some digital resources for saving money on entertainment, prescription drugs and everyday items.
Senior Planet: Mobile Health Apps
1-2:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 1
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Did you know that your smartphone is also a powerful health tool? This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone’s built-in app and the Google Fit app. You’ll learn about using these app’s step counters, as well as integrating information from other popular health and fitness apps. You’ll also learn the benefits of saving your medical ID.
Senior Planet: Protecting Your Personal Information Online
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 3
Free and open to adults ages 60+
This presentation will cover the ins and outs of how to protect your personal information online. We’ll cover tips for staying safe in cyberspace, like safe browsing, how to recognize online scams and when it’s OK — or not — to share your personal information online.
Senior Planet: How to Choose a New Computer
1-2:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 15
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Looking for a new computer? This informational session addresses some of the most common questions surrounding how to choose a new computer: Where to start? What’s a reliable brand? How much should you budget? What technical specifications? We will also cover operating systems and compare alternatives to the traditional computer, e.g., tablets and Chromebooks.
Senior University: Watercolor Sketching
1-3 p.m., Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 22
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Deb Weiss, a state-licensed, 30+ year visual and art history educator, for this introductory-level class in which will explore the use of watercolors as a sketching tool. Not precise or intimidating, this process will be about looking, not thinking. Like impressionism, our watercolors will be instant and light-filled, let it be lighthearted and whimsical! Our pieces will be small in size but filled with information and character. Participants will produce many pieces quickly, without thought or pressure.
Senior Planet: Affordable Home Internet
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 29
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Having home internet can help you save money, look for a job, connect with others, make everyday tasks easier and much more! This lecture goes over basic information you need to know when signing up for home internet service, so that you can understand all your options. You’ll also learn about resources for finding low-cost programs from internet service providers across the country.
Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost varies
Programs for all grade levels
Reading Skills Program: Enroll
This popular program is now enrolling for fall! Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, programs are specifically designed to give students the skills, motivation and individual support they need in each grade level. Students attend weekly classes that build skills and provide great experiences with terrific books. Between classes, students practice reading and complete fun, interactive lessons that develop core skills and build confidence.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Fundamental Courses: Enroll and Learn More
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
Career Training: Enroll and Learn More
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
Comprehensive Career Tracks: Enroll and Learn More
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 a self-paced format and have opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
