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vTapestry. Teaming to promote, cultivate and support real-world learning solutions.
In a world where over 80% of information is received through the visual system...
VISION DISORDERS are the silent success-killer in all schools.
FACT: According to the American Optometric Association, Over 10 million children in the
United States suffer from undetected vision problems. These vision problems often contribute
to difficulties in the classroom, even in students who score 20/20 vision in a vision
screening.
FACT: According to the American Optometric Association, Vision therapy, the art and science
of developing and enhancing visual abilities and remediating vision dysfunctions, has a
firm foundation in vision science, and both its application and efficacy have been established
in the scientific literature.
So what's the problem? The problem is that kids don't know that their vision is not right;
parents don't know there's a problem because their kids don't know they have a problem;
and teachers can't know and do everything, so everyone is in the DARK. Because most vision
issues are 'hidden' issues, the resulting behavioral and emotional problems are all
too often misdiagnosed as Autism or ADD/ADHD - and mistreated with no real improvement.
The great news is that proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve most of
those hidden vision issues! spOtOn aims to shine the light on the potential by delivering
a new model of professional development about vision development.
vTapestry is working to help raise awareness of learning-related vision issues and proactive
options through a project called nSIGHTS. This collaborative ecosystem designed for
educational professionals can make the life-changing difference for students with vision-related
learning issues. On top of that, all students can benefit from a more vision-healthy learning
environment.
This is our first ask for outside funding and we need your help to realize the full
potential of this joint effort. We can 'beat the system' - together! Our initial ask for
$10K covers the most basic expenses for this important BUILD phase of nSIGHTS. This 'kickstarter'
campaign accounts for the bare necessities, like catalyzing participation from the expert
community of practice and software licenses and programming fees for the web setup; it
does NOT include consulting stipends, startup fees, capital equipment purchases, or office
costs (communications/utilities/rent and supplies). Anticipating that you and other proactive
backers will rise to the challenge, if we are significantly over-funded our 'stretch
goal' is to double this initial ask to cover the subsequent RELEASE phase. Because we are
only asking for the minimum, we will face the same costs for year 2. By that time, as
part of our strategic and step-wise project plan, we will need to renew those same annual
software licenses and pay for additional programming fees to set up the project evaluation components.
Your pledge is a perpetual contribution to ensuring all students have a fair chance at
success.
We've already created the conceptual design and tested the technical infrastructure needed
to build a new learning environment in which lifelong learners can thrive. Called nSIGHTS,
our intuitively organized and easily navigable resources fill in the gaps and break down
the walls between educational and clinical professionals. Our model cultivates a truly
collaborative ecosystem with mutually-beneficial incentives for today's busy professionals.
By design, the spOtOn model defines a new realm of professional collaboration through
four key differentiators. To ensure relevancy and accuracy, nSIGHTS is produced by a teacher
preparation program (The University of Texas at Dallas) in partnership with an expert practicing
office (Southern Colorado Vision Therapy); supported by the recognized 'governing' content
body (the College of Optometrists in Vision Development); promoted in consumer literature,
practitioner conferences, and focused presentations; and supported with relevant social media.
All of that taken together is what makes nSIGHTS unique!
Anyone is welcomed to use nSIGHTS! The online learning module is credible (institutionalized
and vetted), affordable (free with no obligation), and accessible (online and self-paced). Our
general audience includes all lifelong learners - especially teachers - who strive to make
a positive difference and can proactively create a more vision-healthy classroom learning
environment. Placing the 'teachers' in the center of our working landscape provides a
clear marker toward which we guide all aspects of the project.
Our main website at spoton4teachers.com consolidates key content in a single, practical and easy-to-use
landing point. Respecting everyone's time and attention, our Facebook group and other
push-pull channels will provide the latest news and information about relevant work.
You can use nSIGHTS anytime/any place you can get online! The spOtOn resources and integrated
social network provide 'just-in-time' expert answers to real-world questions at your point-of-need...
virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
nSIGHTS looks different because it is different... Designed by teachers for teachers, nSIGHTS
delivers the complete picture for educators by placing as much emphasis on appreciation
and awareness as it does on knowledge and understanding. It's really worth a look - and
worth investing in to make sure nSIGHTS can happen!
Whether you are advancing your career or just increasing your own knowledge and understanding,
we value your time and effort. Because you deserve credit for going above and beyond
with nSIGHTS, we are happy to offer options for professional recognition and meaningful
participation that build on your experience and expertise. That's why we issue customized
certificates of recognition and digital badges for learning!
Your pledge will ensure that nSIGHTS has a chance to go viral! We very much appreciate
and thank you for your interest in this project.
Please do join us in helping to improve the learning environment for all students by making
a pledge and sharing this spOtOn opportunity with others.