Connect with us

Technology

University of Phoenix study in The Geography Teacher examines how awe and the “overview effect” may shape geography learning

Published

on

New peer-reviewed article explores how sense of place and perspective may support student engagement and understanding

PHOENIX, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix College of General Studies announces the publication of a new peer-reviewed article in The Geography Teacher, authored by Jacquelyn Kelly, Ph.D., associate dean, College of General Studies; Dianna Gielstra, Ph.D., full-time faculty, Environmental Science Program; Tomáš J. Oberding, Ph.D. full-time faculty, Environmental Science Program; and Niccole V. Cerveny, Ph.D.

The article, titled “The Overview Effect and Sense of Place: Awe-Inspired Learning and Connection Through Geography,” examines how awe and sense of place may influence how learners engage with and interpret geographic concepts, with implications for instructional design in online and classroom environments.

What is the overview effect and why does it matter for learning?

The article explores the “overview effect,” a cognitive shift described by astronauts viewing Earth from space, characterized by a heightened sense of interconnectedness, perspective and reflection. Building on this concept, the authors examine how experiences of awe, often prompted by scale, landscape and environment, may open attention, expand thinking, and support how learners process new information.

The paper situates these ideas within geography education, suggesting that place-based and visually grounded learning experiences may help students connect abstract concepts to real-world environments while strengthening their sense of place.

Our research highlights the power of a simple show-and-share discussion activity,” said Kelly. “Students explored awe-inspiring landscapes and then shared places that were meaningful to them. Those personal stories and images created opportunities for reflection, strengthened students’ connections to environmental topics, and helped bring a sense of place into the online classroom. We hope this provides a model that other educators can use to foster engagement and connection in online learning environments.”

The authors also discuss how awe-informed approaches may support curiosity and reflection, helping learners recognize gaps in understanding and integrate new knowledge with existing perspectives.

Key themes of the article include:

Examination of the overview effect as a framework for understanding perspective shift and learningExploration of awe as a factor that may influence attention, curiosity and conceptual understandingConsideration of sense of place as a meaningful element in student connection to course contentInsights into how intentional instructional design may incorporate these concepts in educational settings

Kelly is a published researcher with more than 20 years of experience in science and mathematics education. Her work focuses on translating STEM education research into practice in higher education settings. She has dedicated her work to scaling and sustaining research-based practices in science and mathematics education. Kelly earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in science education and a Master of Science in materials science and engineering from Arizona State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry from California State University, San Marcos.

Gielstra is a biogeographer, course designer and faculty member in the College of General Studies Environmental Science program, with research interests in human and environmental connections, geography, and polar, mountain and riparian environments. Gielstra earned a doctorate in geography from Texas A&M University and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Coastal Carolina University.

Oberding is a coastal ecologist, course designer and faculty member in the College of General Studies Environmental Science program. His research interests include hydrology, mariculture, coral ecology and environmental remediation. He earned a doctorate in natural resource and environmental management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and holds a Master of Science in mariculture from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of New Mexico.

Cerveny is a Professor of Geography in the Department of Cultural Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies at Mesa Community College in Arizona. Her research interests are in geomorphology, landscape evolution, Native American rock art conservation, and sustainable heritage management.

The full article is available here: https://doi.org/10.1080/19338341.2025.2592717

About University of Phoenix

 University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-phoenix-study-in-the-geography-teacher-examines-how-awe-and-the-overview-effect-may-shape-geography-learning-302806773.html

SOURCE University of Phoenix

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

GrantWatch Launches 12-Stage Grant Pipeline to Help Organizations Take Control of Their Funding Future

Published

on

By

New workflow system brings clarity, momentum, and structure to every stage of the grant process

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Every year, organizations miss out on funding not because they lack strong ideas or meaningful programs, but because the grant process becomes overwhelming. Deadlines stack up. Opportunities get lost. Teams struggle to stay aligned.

GrantWatch is changing that.

Today, GrantWatch announced the launch of its Grant Pipeline, a structured workflow system designed to help organizations manage every phase of the grant lifecycle from discovery through post-award reporting.

Instead of managing grants across spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected tools, organizations can now bring everything into one place with a clear path forward at every step.

Bringing Order to a Complex Process

Grant seeking is not just about finding opportunities. It is about managing them effectively over time.

A grant pipeline is a structured system used to organize, track, and manage grant opportunities from initial discovery through submission, award management, and reporting.

The GrantWatch Pipeline transforms what is often a stressful and fragmented experience into a clear, guided process. It helps organizations understand where each opportunity stands and what needs to happen next.

From Effort to Results

As organizations head into the busy summer funding season, competition for grants continues to increase across nonprofits, schools, healthcare organizations, municipalities, research institutions, and small businesses. Effort alone is no longer enough. Organizations need structure and consistency.

“Too many organizations lose opportunities simply because the process becomes overwhelming,” said Libby Hikind, Founder and CEO of GrantWatch.

“Finding a grant is just the first step. What truly matters is having a system that helps you follow through. The Pipeline gives organizations clarity and control so they can turn effort into real results.”

A Complete System from Discovery to Impact

The Grant Pipeline builds on the GrantWatch Full Grant Lifecycle Platform, creating a seamless connection between finding funding and securing it.

The GrantWatch Dashboard helps users discover grants, research funders, and monitor activity

The Grant Pipeline helps users take action by organizing work, managing deadlines, and moving opportunities forward

Together, they provide a complete system that supports the entire journey from idea to funding to measurable impact.

A 12-Stage Workflow That Brings Clarity to Every Step

Grant work can feel overwhelming because many things happen at once. Research, writing, deadlines, collaboration, and reporting all compete for attention. Without structure, it becomes difficult to know what matters most.

The GrantWatch Pipeline simplifies the process by breaking it into 12 clear, actionable stages.

Each stage helps teams focus on one step at a time while keeping the full picture in view.

The 12 stages include:

Interest Identify and save promising grant opportunities that align with your mission.
Eligibility Confirm whether your organization qualifies before investing time.
Calendar Track deadlines and stay ahead of submission dates.
Schedule Writing Plan responsibilities, timelines, and next steps.
Write Develop proposals and gather supporting materials.
Review Collaborate, refine, and strengthen your application.
Final Draft Prepare complete and polished submissions.
Submitted Track what has been submitted and what is pending.
Denied Learn from outcomes and improve future applications.
Awarded Record funding wins and prepare for next steps.
Implementation Execute funded programs and manage deliverables.
Post Award Maintain reporting, compliance, and long-term funder relationships.

Instead of wondering where things stand, teams can immediately see progress and take the next step with confidence. This clarity turns a complex process into something manageable and repeatable.

Built for Teams Working Together

Grant success is a team effort. Leadership, development staff, finance teams, consultants, and program managers all contribute to the process.

The Pipeline allows MemberPlus users to bring everyone into one shared workspace.

Teams can:

Collaborate on proposals

Share notes and documents

Review and improve applications

Track progress across multiple grants

Maintain clear communication

There is no additional cost for collaboration seats, making it easy for organizations to include the entire team without financial barriers.

Powered by Human-Verified Data

Strong decisions require reliable information.

The GrantWatch platform powers the Pipeline with verified data, including:

11,663 plus active grants on the website today
1,354 New Grants Added in the Last 7 Days
1,000 plus new grants added weekly
62,000 plus monitored opportunities
Verified funder profiles and IRS 990 data
Recipient insights and funding history

Organizations can deepen their research using tools like GrantWatch.com to better understand funders and improve decision-making.

This combination of trusted data and structured workflow helps organizations focus on the opportunities that matter most.

Designed for Real-World Workflows

Consider a nonprofit managing several grant applications at once.

Without structure, deadlines slip, responsibilities blur, and momentum is lost. With the Pipeline, everything becomes visible and organized.

Teams can assign tasks, track timelines, collaborate in real time, and follow through after submission. The process becomes more efficient, less stressful, and more effective.

Teams can also stay on schedule by organizing deadlines using My Grant Calendar and streamline proposal development with integrated tools.

Part of a Broader Grant Management Ecosystem

The Grant Pipeline integrates with other GrantWatch tools, including:

GrantWatch Dashboard

My Grant Calendar

Grant Alerts

Foundation Search

Awarded Grant Search

AI Grant Writing Tool

AI Grant Finder

GrantWatch Intelligence

Together, these tools support every stage of the grant journey from discovery to reporting.

Availability

The GrantWatch Grant Pipeline is available now.

Organizations ready to bring structure and clarity to their grant efforts can get started by visiting:
👉 The GrantWatch Grant Pipeline

About GrantWatch

Trusted since 2010, GrantWatch helps organizations discover, evaluate, and secure funding opportunities with confidence.

With access to 11,661+ active grants, 374,397 funder profiles, 2.23 million recipient profiles, and 4.69 million IRS 990 records, GrantWatch helps nonprofits, businesses, schools, artists, municipalities, tribal nations, faith-based organizations, researchers, and individuals discover funding opportunities, manage grants, and maximize impact.

Media Contact

GrantWatch Media Relations
Media@GrantWatch.com
(561) 249-4129

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grantwatch-launches-12-stage-grant-pipeline-to-help-organizations-take-control-of-their-funding-future-302806787.html

SOURCE GrantWatch

Continue Reading

Technology

Canada expanding high-speed Internet access in rural and remote areas in Manitoba

Published

on

By

Federal investment of over $96.8 million to connect more than 7,800 homes to high-speed Internet

OTTAWA, ON, June 22, 2026 /CNW/ – Reliable and affordable high-speed Internet is essential for all Canadians. It enables access to online education, connects friends and families, and drives economic growth and innovation. This is why the Government of Canada is bringing high-speed Internet access to underserved communities–including Indigenous communities–in Manitoba.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, announced over $96.8 million in federal funding for a project by Valley Fiber Ltd. to bring high-speed Internet access to communities across Manitoba. This project will benefit up to 7,875 households in over 50 rural and remote communities across the province.

The funding is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure that Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet.

The Government of Canada has committed to ensuring that every household in Canada has access to high-speed Internet by 2030, and we are on track to meet our connectivity targets. This project will build toward that goal, and the government will continue to invest in infrastructure that creates new opportunities and makes sure communities can benefit from all of Canada’s potential.

Quotes

“High-speed Internet isn’t a luxury; it’s essential and foundational infrastructure. For people in rural and remote communities in Manitoba, having a reliable connection levels the playing field and can make all the difference in being able to access vital virtual health care, work online or just keep in touch with loved ones. That’s why the federal government has made a historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadian households to high-speed Internet by the end of 2026, and 100% of households by 2030. As part of this effort and thanks to today’s investment, more than 7,800 underserved homes in communities across Manitoba will have access to reliable high-speed Internet.”
– The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development and Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River

“High-speed Internet is critical infrastructure that helps communities grow and thrive. Through this partnership with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, more rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Manitoba will gain access to reliable broadband connectivity. Investments like this help close infrastructure gaps, create new opportunities and ensure Canadians can stay connected no matter where they live.”
– The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Member of Parliament for Churchill–Keewatinook Aski

“Strong connectivity is essential for communities to participate fully in today’s digital economy. This project with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank will help expand reliable Internet access to rural, remote and Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba, opening the door to new opportunities and a better quality of life.”
– The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

“Reliable high-speed Internet is essential infrastructure for education, health care, business and everyday life. Too many northern communities have waited far too long for the level of service other Manitobans take for granted. By unlocking unused provincial fiber capacity and partnering with a Manitoba-based provider, we’re accelerating progress that translates into real, tangible benefits for northern families.”
– The Honourable Mike Moroz, Manitoba’s Minister of Innovation and New Technology

“Reliable high-speed Internet is no longer optional infrastructure–it is the foundation for education, health care and economic opportunity. This investment allows Valley Fiber to reach communities in rural and remote Manitoba that have been overlooked for too long. We have the network, the team and the track record to deliver on that commitment.”
– Ryan Klassen, CEO, Valley Fiber

Quick facts

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help provide high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by end of 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% access by 2030.Today, 97.4% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 79% in 2014.In Manitoba, 94.1% of households currently have access to high-speed Internet.Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $322 million in connectivity projects in ManitobaThe Canada Infrastructure Bank has committed more than $2 billion toward broadband projects across Canada, allowing connectivity to expand at a quicker pace and on a larger scale.Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit individuals and gender diverse people are more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women. Better connectivity means more tools in moments of danger, enabling victims of violence to access critical online resources and get help when they need it most.

Associated links

Rural economic developmentHigh-Speed Internet Access DashboardUniversal Broadband FundCanada Infrastructure Bank: Digital Infrastructure and AIHigh-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity StrategyNational Broadband MapFederal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.
X (Twitter): @ISED_CA | Facebook: Canadian Innovation | Instagram: @cdninnovation | LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For easy access to government programs for businesses, download the Canada Business app.

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Continue Reading

Technology

In HelloNation, Roofing Expert Travis Cornolo Explains Understanding Roof Insurance Claims After Storm Damage

Published

on

By

The article explains how roof inspections, documentation, and a full review of roofing components can support the insurance claim process.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — How do roof insurance claims work after storm damage? The answer is provided in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Roofing Expert Travis Cornolo of Century Roofing in Overland Park, Kansas, explaining how a professional roof inspection can help homeowners better understand storm damage and prepare for an insurance claim.

The article explains that many homeowners are uncertain about whether their roof has sustained enough storm damage to justify filing an insurance claim. While some damage is easy to identify, other problems may remain hidden and become more serious over time. High winds, hail, heavy rain, and falling debris can all affect a roofing system in ways that are not immediately visible from the ground.

According to the article, a professional roof inspection should be one of the first steps taken after severe weather. A roof inspection can identify damage before small issues become larger concerns. Missing shingles, lifted edges, cracked materials, damaged flashing, and hidden leaks can all affect the roof condition and may require attention before they lead to additional problems.

The article notes that homeowners often expect storm damage to be obvious. However, hail can bruise shingles, loosen protective granules, and weaken roofing materials without causing an immediate leak. Wind can lift shingles and create openings that allow water to enter later. Because these issues may not be visible without a close examination, a thorough roof inspection provides a clearer understanding of the roof condition.

Documentation is another major focus of the article. Inspection reports, photographs, and written observations help establish a record of the roof condition following a storm. This documentation can be useful when beginning an insurance claim because it provides evidence of what was discovered during the inspection process.

The article also explains that storm damage is not always limited to shingles. Gutters, flashing, vents, ridge caps, pipe boots, and other roofing components can also be affected. If these roofing components are damaged, they may impact the performance of the roofing system and contribute to future water intrusion or other concerns.

A complete roof inspection should evaluate the entire roofing system rather than focusing only on the most visible signs of damage. The article describes how reviewing roof surfaces, drainage areas, edges, and supporting roofing components helps homeowners gain a more accurate understanding of their roof condition after severe weather.

Another important point discussed in the article is the value of reviewing inspection findings before contacting an insurance carrier. Knowing the roof condition allows homeowners to ask more informed questions about coverage, deductibles, claim timelines, and policy requirements. Since every insurance claim depends on the specific language of the policy, the article encourages homeowners to review coverage details directly with their carrier.

Good documentation remains important throughout the insurance claim process. The article notes that inspection reports, contractor assessments, weather information, photographs, estimates, and claim paperwork can help support the record. Organized documentation also helps homeowners keep track of information from the initial roof inspection through final claim decisions.

The article further explains that experienced Roofing Expert professionals often help homeowners review inspection findings alongside claim documents and estimates. This process can help determine whether all affected roofing components were considered and whether the documented scope of damage accurately reflects the roof condition identified during the inspection.

The article concludes that informed decisions begin with accurate information. When homeowners understand their roof condition, maintain thorough documentation, and evaluate all affected roofing components, they are better prepared to work through the insurance claim process following storm damage and make decisions with confidence.

Understanding Roof Insurance Claims After Storm Damage features insights from Travis Cornolo, Roofing Expert of Overland Park, Kansas, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-roofing-expert-travis-cornolo-explains-understanding-roof-insurance-claims-after-storm-damage-302806797.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Trending