Club Purpose: We help members make the most of their computers and explore new technology.

Focus: While our meeting room is a Windows PC classroom, the club is no longer Windows-only. With our emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will show you how to use free online AI tools that work on any computer or smartphone-Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or mobile.

Meetings:

• When: 2nd Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Room 357, UWF Campus
• Format: Informal and friendly. Each session includes a short presentation plus time to share tips, ask questions, and solve tech problems together.

What We Cover:

• Modern AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini
• How AI can make tech tasks easier and more fun
• Practical help for everyday computer and device issues

Why Join?

• Free Membership: You don't need to be enrolled in any CLL classes.
• Learn, share, and stay current with technology
• Great for anyone curious about AI

Class Leader Bio(s): Hal earned his PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara after serving as a carrier-based Navy fighter pilot while the Korean war was winding down. Since 1994, he’s been heavily involved in CLL classes and administration. In 1996 he developed the CLL’s original computerized registration program that was used continuously until COVID stopped in-person registration. Over the years he has led various computer-related CLL courses.

Course Description: Have you ever wondered what that ‘star’ is in the evening sky? Join a NASA Solar System Ambassador in exploring the solar system and beyond. Learn how to use a small telescope, how to navigate the night sky and identify the objects that you see. Discussions will cover the solar system as well as celestial objects such as constellations, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. We will also cover the language of Astronomy from appulse to syzygy to zenith. This is a 7-week class.

Class Leader Bio(s): Tom Haugh is a long-time amateur astronomer. He is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and the outreach coordinator for the NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association. His personal observatory is recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). His observations concentrate on asteroid and comet orbit verification and he has submitted more than 12,000 astrometric observations to the IAU’s Minor Planet Center.

Notes: This is a 7-session IN PERSON class, meeting Mondays on January 12, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2. (No classes at UWF on Monday, 19 January, Martin Luther King Holiday).

Course Description: This class will look at our relationship with machines, and some disastrous accidents, and incidents, that have happened over the years in the aviation, maritime fields, and some even some unusual criminal activities. We will look at what went wrong and what was done to fix the problems. Accidents are normally a series of small incidents that end up causing something to fail. I will provide visual aids and summaries for each class.

Class Leader Bio(s): Robert Huffman retired as an Air Force NCO after 27 years of service. He was a C-130 Crew Chief and Air Force Instructor. He also worked for Boeing. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Course Description: Birds, sensitive to changes in their environment, are literally canaries in the coal mine when it comes to global environmental issues. This 8-week course will cover the biology, ecology, and ethology of the more than 11,000 species of birds that populate our planet as well as global topics of climate, biodiversity, conservation, biomes, and terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems. This is a university level study. If you are a serious birder, an environmentalist, or just enjoy watching birds in your yard, this course has something for you.

Class Leader Bio(s): The instructor, Dr. Ron Weiss, earned a doctorate degree in Avian Population studies, Directed the Bird Observatory in Central Indiana, held a Master Bird Banding license, and taught Ornithology and field methods at the university level. He conducted avian population research for the US Army at their Newport Indiana Chemical Depot, for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and directed a tropical bird research effort in Central America. His research and general interest publications appear in Scientific Journals and popular magazines both here and abroad.

Course Description: In this exclusive tour of the Air Force Armament Museum participants will explore and experience the legacy of military aviation through an extensive collection of aircraft and armament. You will dive into the stories behind the technology and bravery that shaped our skies. The museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with the US Air Force. Their collection includes aircraft ranging from the WWII era to the present. This one-time tour will meet on Thursday January 15, 10:30 to 12:30, at the Air Force Armament Museum.

Class Leader Bio(s): Guided tours are conducted by trained guides with extensive knowledge of the artifacts and information. Guides are retired military personnel.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet at Air Force Armament Museum 100 Museum Drive Eglin AFB A base pass is not needed for this tour as it is not within the base gates. It is located south of the base gates.

Course Description: Are you ready to learn how to use your iPad effectively? This course will take you from the very basics to making your iPad your own. Individual needs will be addressed to make sure everyone has an opportunity to learn. We will explore the most popular iPad tricks and topics, including how to get the most out of your iPad experience. Students must bring their own iPads to class. This is a six-week course.

Class Leader Bio(s): Dolores Noechel is a former Ruckel math teacher, OCSD Instructional Technology and Media Services Specialist, and Assistant Principal at Fort Walton Beach High School.

Notes: This is a six-week course meeting on January 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 12, and 19. Prefer room 836

Course Description: In today’s world, your phone can be your best travel companion. What do you do when you arrive in a foreign port? How do you find internet access, restrooms, restaurants, or stay in touch with your family? This class will help you travel with confidence by exploring the best apps for communication, navigation, photography, and security. Learn how to take, edit and organize photos, protect your information, use AI for travel, and discover which apps can simply make your journey more fun. This will be a hands-on working class, so be sure to bring your iPhone or android.

Class Leader Bio(s): Dee La Garde has a MBA from the University of Kansas. She has over 700 days cruising and has circled the World 4 times touring all 7 continents. On the Cruise Ship one of the featured classes was “Tech for Travel.” Sean La garde has an engineering degree from Widener University in Philadelphia, PA. He is currently working as a system engineer.

Notes: Bring your phone (iPhone or android) to every class, it will be a key tool throughout each session.

Course Description: Ashley Bailey from the Crime Prevention Unit will discuss how AI is currently being used in frauds and scams and ways to prevent being a victim. This one-time class will meet on Wednesday,  February 25, at 1:00PM at UWF.

Class Leader Bio(s): Ashley Bailey is the Crime Prevention Manager with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. She has been working for the Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years educating citizens, business owners, and tourists in Okaloosa County. In addition, she started and continues to manage numerous programs and services for residents.