Overview Effect (Frank White, 1980s) – a reported cognitive–emotional and epistemic shift experienced by astronauts when viewing Earth from space, marked by an immediate apprehension of planetary fragility, systemic interconnectedness, and the constructed nature of political boundaries, frequently accompanied by heightened ecological concern and an expanded sense of planetary responsibility. Attempts to induce analogue experiences (e.g., via virtual reality) show mixed and context-dependent effects.
Please cite this article as:
Davis, B., & Francis, K. (2026). “Overview Effect” in Discourses on Learning in Education. https://learningdiscourses.com.
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