Week 6 Email: February/ 23

Dear Students,

We are excited to work with you as we continue learning and exploring Canvas together. This learning hub helps you track your progress, explore new ideas, and practice activities that keep your mind active and engaged. Remember, there are no grades or pressures just opportunities to learn, have fun, and keep your brain active. Every click, quiz, or discussion is a step toward staying sharp and curious! We are here to assist you, and in each Zoom session, we will show you these simple steps to get started.

Steps to Sign in to Canvas

1. Open your web browser and go to SDCCD.EDU (or search for San Diego Community College District).

2. On the homepage, click the Canvas tab on the top menu bar.

3. Log in using your student email as your ID and your Portal password (the same password you use for registration).

4. If prompted, complete multi-factor authentication (like online banking) to keep your account secure. You can receive the verification code via text message or personal email.

5. Once verified, you will be taken to your Canvas dashboard. 🎉 Congratulations — you’ve made it!

How to Access Your Courses

• On the left side under the SDCCD logo, you’ll see Dashboard or Courses.

• Click either one to view your Canvas courses.

• Feel free to click on all buttons and hyperlinks to get familiar with Canvas.

  • Explore the different tools, such as:

    • Quizzes – for self assessment and practice questions 

    • Discussions – to post and reply to classmates and instructors

Need help connecting to Canvas? Contact Student Support:

• Email: support@student.sdccd.edu

• Phone: 619-388-1140

Last Week: The Neuroscience of Laughter:

Last week, we explored how laughter is a powerful brain and body process that supports emotional, social, and cognitive health. It activates multiple brain regions involved in thinking, emotion, movement, and reward, while releasing endorphins that help reduce stress and pain. Laughter strengthens social bonds, improves mood, enhances memory and mental flexibility, and promotes relaxation of the nervous system. More than just entertainment, laughter is a natural, neuroprotective behavior that fosters resilience and overall well-being, especially as we age.

This Week: Emotional Intelligence & the Brain

This week, we will explore emotional intelligence (EI) and its important role in how the brain manages emotions, stress, decision-making, and social interactions throughout life. Emotions are not separate from thinking; they actively influence attention, memory, motivation, and executive functioning.

This lesson examines the brain networks that support EI, its connection to executive functions, and how strengthening emotional skills can enhance brain health, resilience, and overall quality of life. Although EI does not prevent cognitive decline, it is a practical, evidence-informed approach to supporting healthy brain functioning and aging.

Below is the Zoom link for all classes:

• 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 are 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