How it works
Smarten Up Ottawa teaches adults how to use technology in plain English — no jargon, no rushing, no taking over the phone. Every class is the same shape, so it always feels familiar, and every week your family gets a short update so they can cheer you on.
Confidence
You stop guessing, and start clicking with intent.
Safety
You learn how to spot scams before they reach your wallet.
Independence
You can call your grandkids, pay a bill, or book a ride on your own.
Each weekly module is built from the same four pieces — so even week 14 still feels like week 1.
Part 1 of 4
A 5–10 minute lesson you can watch before or after class, as many times as you want. Every video comes with a searchable written transcript, so you can read at your own pace and look things back up later.
Part 2 of 4
No more than 8 students. We practice together, ask questions out loud, and nobody gets left behind. Paced runs one class a week, Accelerated runs two, and VIP includes one-on-one calls when you get stuck.
Part 3 of 4
A handful of multiple-choice questions to check what stuck. If you get one wrong, the screen quietly shows the right answer and a sentence explaining why — no red marks, no scolding.
Part 4 of 4
One small thing to try at home before next class. Your progress is automatically summarized into a weekly update you can share with a family member, so the people who love you can see how you're doing.
Predictable rhythm. Nothing sprung on you.
Monday
Live class with your instructor and small group.
Wednesday
A gentle practice task — usually 10 minutes on your phone or laptop.
Friday
Open the quiz. Wrong answers show you the right one, so you actually learn.
Sunday
Your family receives a short progress note. You can turn this off any time.
You always know where you stand — and so does the family member you choose.
Module completion
Which lessons you've watched and which classes you've attended.
Quiz mastery
A simple percentage, plus the questions you'd like to revisit.
Practice streak
How many weekly tasks you've tried at home — every attempt counts.
Instructor notes
Short, kind notes from your teacher after each class.
The frustrated
You've felt left behind by technology. We start where you are — no shame, no quiz at the door.
The scammed (or nearly scammed)
You want to feel safe again. Our Seniors Digital Safety course is built for exactly this.
The curious
You're doing okay but want to learn the right way, not just the YouTube way. Welcome.
Call us. We'll catch you up one-on-one before the next class, at no extra cost. The video lesson and transcript are always there too.
No. Bring whatever you have — phone, tablet, or laptop. If you don't have anything yet, call us before you buy.
Yes, if you want them to. You invite one family member and they get a friendly weekly update. You can turn it off any time.
If the first two classes aren't right for you, call us within 14 days for a full refund. No paperwork, no hard feelings.
Take a look at the week-by-week curriculum, or pick a pace that suits you.