ELR Software produces a range of computer programs designed by speech pathologists for speech, language & literacy intervention. Our programs may be used interactively within therapy sessions, to increase efficiency in service delivery, and to improve access to the Internet for people with special needs. We are also available as consultants to clinicians and research projects in the fields of literacy and accessibility issues associated with the Internet.
The aim of this newsletter is to inform you of developments and changes to our major products eLr (Extra Language Resources), Rude Readers, Word Meanings and EIA (Enhancing Internet Access). We welcome the opportunity for feedback and questions, and will be pleased to consider including reader contributions and announcements.
This Newsletter (and previous editions) is available online at www.elr.com.au/news and an email version is sent monthly to members of our mailing list (See Subscribing/Unsubscribing).
In this issue -
This month brings new functions and changes which are a little bit more extensive than our usual "new and changed tasks", and we apologize fro the delay in finalizing this edition.
The "eLr Loader" (the page that contains the eLr Directory) now looks quite different. Previously, when you logged in as a "Registered user" and were taken to this page you could see the Directory, Quick Loader etc placed down a longish, scrolling page. This month we have added a new function to this page called "Session Planner" (described below) which made the page even longer. So to make it more accessible it has been divided into sections, each having a button to "show" or "hide" them. This means you are able to see where everything is on the page, and can more easily go from one section to another. For example, if you are working in the Directory, and want to go to Session Planner, you can "hide" the whole Directory with one click and "show" the Session Planner section (by clicking the [Show/Hide section] buttons) . When you go back to the Directory, it will be as you left it.
Two new functions have been added to allow "Registered users" to more efficiently provide home or school practice activities for your clients. These new mechanisms eliminate the need to physically write the eLr numbers and so on. Previously, providing such a "Program Goals sheet" required you to use a blank "Program Goals" form (located in the Support area) and write down the client details and specific goals with appropriate task numbers. At any of these steps, errors could occur and it took quite a bit of time. I have wished that I could perform this function quicker and easily reuse some of the comments and suggestions I'd written for previous clients. These new functions fulfill many of these wishes ... and more.
You are now able to go into the Directory, select any tasks that are suitable for a particular client, type in any comments or special instructions, and immediately print a fully detailed Program Goals sheet. To explain and understand the mechanism it may be thought of as a three stage process -
Click on the new "checkbox" to the left of the task name(s) to have that task automatically added/removed from a list placed in the Session Planner. This selection can actually be done within a clinical session at the same time as you are opening eLr tasks for immediate use, or at any time you have the Directory open.
This tool appears much like other eLr tasks - in its own small window. Maximise the window and the Program Goals Editor is available for use.
The Session Planner may also be used as the name suggests, ie you pre-select a range of tasks and they are set to go for a particular session - just click on a task name to load it. Or you can load up to 5 of them at once using "Load" button. "Clear" will clear all the tasks, so that you can prepare for another client.
When you first explore this new function look for the "Steps 1 to 3" instructions on the screen. It's also good to be aware that fields "Name" (ie client name) and "Goal" must have information in them for a sheet to print properly.
Enter a client "Name" - other fields may left blank. If you wish, your User ID will automatically be included, but if for some reason, you need to put in a different User ID, you may edit this field. This happens sometimes when you may be at a school which has an eLr subscription, and you may want to use the school's User ID.
Click an "Unused" Goals tab, and type in the goal (eg "Producing /l/ at the beginning of words"). The "instructions" section allows you to put in any additional comments you might like to provide. I often find I need to suggest that certain models are done first, or I give suggestions about the way the task should be carried out. This is where you might be able to cut and paste previous comments that you have done. As a suggestion, you could keep some of the frequently used comments in a Word document, and cut and paste them into the field in the Program Goals Editor.
The task details, including the section it came from in the Directory are automatically included in task list for that particular goal.
Once you've entered the details you want, your "Program Goals sheet" may be printed, and/or "saved". A preview of the sheet as it will be printed is available at all times at the bottom of the Program Goals Editor screen. You will probably have to scroll down to see it all, and the whole "Preview" can be switched off if you wish with a control at the top of the screen. It's not actually necessary to preview before printing.
To print, click the "Print" button on the top left hand corner of the screen. A formatted copy of your Goals sheet with an eLr letterhead will be printed
To "save", click the "Clip" button, which is beside the Print button. This is not a regular "file save", but rather it places a generic version of the current sheet onto your computer's clipboard. You may then paste it to a Word Document or email for example - open the program you want and use Edit-Paste to paste it into a document . If you maintain electronic files, you may also find that a copy placed directly into your client files is a useful record of the program you have provided.
There is still more to come in this area - the current mechanisms only generate "Program Goals - Guest User" sheets ie for "Unregistered users" who will use the free Guest access. Next month we hope to have completed an extension to allow similar production for "Program Goals - Registered users". As usual feedback will be very welcome. Please let us know how these new functions suit your needs, and any refinements you'd like to see.
Mum's Bum (Volume 5) aims to teach two ways of expressing possession in English - "a hen for Ben" and "Ben's hen". Rhyme is used to make it interesting and the illustrations cue the child to 'read' the story. The same structure is used for all 16 pages eg ball/Paul - "a ball for Paul"/"Paul's ball". There are 34 words in this Rude Reader - 32 nouns, one determiner "a", and one preposition "for". The syntax is at LARSP Stage II with one Stage IV structure NP Prep NP - "a lion for Ryan".
ELR has a number of free or evaluation files available for downloading directly from our website. Please see www.elr.com.au/downloads.htm for specific details. For other supporting materials and documents available for free download, please see www.elr.com.au/support.htm.
Rosanna Golf Links Primary School
Interlaken Parade, Rosanna3.45-4.30pm - focus for school staff
5.00 - 6.00pm - focus for speech pathologists
If you'd like to attend a workshop, but Rosanna doesn't suit, please contact us as we are planning more a little later in the year.
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr, Rude Readers, Word Meanings or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
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