Embedded Files
Dear Students,
Welcome to Week 4! I hope you have been enjoying the course and finding the material engaging so far.
Canvas: Your New Learning Hub
Between Weeks 6–8, we’ll start using Canvas for all course materials. Canvas is the college-wide learning platform and will serve as our interactive hub. We know this is a big change, and it’s okay if it feels unfamiliar at first—we’ll take it step by step and support you along the way.
In class over the next week or two, we’ll walk through Canvas together, show you how to log in, find materials, and participate. Even if you can’t attend a Zoom session, Canvas lets you stay connected, share your thoughts, and engage safely with classmates.
You’re not expected to figure this out on your own—we’ll learn it together. Directions for signing in are below.
Steps to sign into Canvas: Canvas
1. Sign in with your student email
2. Use your PORTAL password
3. Complete the two-step authentication
If you are unable to connect to Canvas, please contact Student Support:
Email: support@student.sdccd.edu
Phone: 619-388-1140
Last Week: Perception vs. Reality
We explored how perception is an active process, not a recording of reality. The brain constantly predicts what it expects to experience, compares those predictions with sensory input, and uses attention and memory to determine what feels real. Because imagination and perception share neural pathways, vivid thoughts can sometimes feel real, especially when sensory signals are weak or expectations are strong. Attention, timing, and brain rhythms shape what reaches conscious awareness. Since decisions are based on perceived reality rather than objective facts, what we believe, notice, and remember strongly influences how we see the world and how we act.
This Week: Pain and the Brain
This week, we will explore how pain is often misunderstood as a simple signal sent from an injury to the brain. In reality, pain is a complex, active construction created by the brain to protect us. This lesson examines how the brain acts as an “editor,” deciding when to turn the volume of pain up or down.
Below you will find the Zoom links and Quick Links (all blue, underlined text indicates live links).
Brain Fitness Topics: Zoom Links & Sessions
Monday, 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Tuesday, 10-12 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Tuesday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 10 - 12:00 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 PM (Sharon Gregory, Instructor)
Friday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Remember: as a Brain Fitness Topics student, you are welcome to attend any of the Brain Fitness Topics classes listed above, even more than one per week.
Special topics (separate registration)
Brain Fitness Lab: Cognitive Wellness Through Hands-On Exercises and Living Stories, Monday 10:00 – 12:00 PM (Yael Lorberfeld & Desiree Harguess)
Diverse Approaches to Brain Health, (Mindy Sloan, Instructor)
Monday 3:00 – 5: 00 PM
Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Brain HQ: Cognitive Training and Navigation, Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Sharon Gregory, Instructor)
Quick Links
Course website: bfclass.com
BrainHQ site: https://v4.brainhq.com/
Student site with schedule and more: sdcestudent55.com
Site to enroll in classes: myportal.sdccd.edu
Official SDCCE site: sdcce.edu
Enjoy a brain-healthy week! We’re looking forward to another great week of learning together.
Mindy, Yael, Sharon, Erica, Charisse, Desiree & Minoo
Mindy Jo Sloan, Ph.D.
msloan@sdccd.edu
Yael Lorberfeld. MA
Yloberfeld@sdccd.edu
Sharon Gregory
sgregory001@sdccd.edu
Erica Peralta, MS
eperalta@sdccd.edu
Charisse Winston, Ph.D.
cwinston@sdccd.edu
Desirree Harguess, DPT
dharguess@sdccd.edu
Minoo Pakgohar, Ph.D.
mpakgohar@sdccd.edu
Page updated
Report abuse