Technology

Smart Home Basics

Meets Thursdays · 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM · on Zoom Fall 2026 · registration open Free to audit

This class runs in the Fall 2026 session. Registration is open now; lessons, materials, and the class discussion board are posted before it begins.

This is a hands-on class for homeowners who are curious about smart devices but don't know where to start. We'll set up smart plugs, a video doorbell, and voice-controlled lights, and we'll talk honestly about what's worth buying and what to skip.

Here's the thing—you don't need to wire your whole house. Start with one room, get a win, and build from there. Bring your phone and the account passwords you'll need. We'll actually set things up in class, not just watch slides.

By the end you'll leave with at least one thing working that you understand, plus enough confidence to poke at the next one on your own. No worries at all.

What you'll learn

Set up a smart plug and control it by phone
Install a video doorbell that matches your family's phones
Connect a voice assistant and rename devices for clarity
Troubleshoot devices that won't connect to wifi
Choose reliable brands and skip risky critical automations

Lessons

Where to Start (and What to Skip)
Before you buy anything, we'll figure out what actually helps and what ends up in a drawer.
Smart Plugs: Your First Win
The cheapest, lowest-stakes device to get working, and the one I always tell people to start with.
The Video Doorbell
Most doorbells are more alike than the boxes want you to think, so we'll get one working without overpaying.
Voice-Controlled Lights
Voice is overrated for most things, so we'll set it up where it actually earns its keep.
Backups, Safety, and Not Getting Locked Out
The stuff nobody thinks about until the internet goes down or a leak starts under the water heater.
Troubleshooting and Growing Slowly
How to fix your own stuff so you don't need me in your driveway, and how to add devices without regretting it.

Class discussion

The class discussion board opens when the class begins this fall. Auditors and enrolled students ask questions and share work here once the session starts.