ELR-News

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) as well as a "print-ready" PDF version of the current edition is available online at www.elr.com.au/news. An email version is also sent monthly to members of our mailing list (See Subscribing/Unsubscribing).

In this issue -

1. New eLr Materials
2. Guest Access to eLr
3. Other Independent Developers
4. Free Downloads
5. ELR 2006 Calendar

1. New eLr Materials

   This month we have returned to "Phonology - Later Sounds", and added 196 new tasks using the MemoryWords model. This was prompted by a specific need I encountered while working with a girl of about 8 years who had fluency problems. I wanted a fun activity, that used words starting with long sounds, and required her to produce single words. Memory would have been perfect, but I realised that we hadn't put this model into the Phonology section. The new MemoryWords tasks use the vocabulary that is in the other word based models in each of the Phonology sections (ie WordSearch, SmileyMan and ConnectWords).

   In each of the "Phonology - Later Sounds" sections there are picture based tasks and word based tasks (for the older clients). The picture based models include games (Spin Pic, MemoryPics, TicTacPic, CluePics), and models that simply present pictures to be named or described (PicCards and Slide show). The PicCards model is a useful one as it enables you to print a grid of pictures that can be cut up into cards, or given as a group of pictures for simple practice. Paper based games can be provided by printing a board game (go to "Activity Toolbox - Scene Library - game boards"), and a set of pictures that contain the target sound. If your client has a more complex phonological disorder, you can select specific vocabulary by using the PhonPic Tool in the "Activity Toolbox". The word based models are included so that clients who can read but require articulation or phonological therapy, can access activities that are a little more challenging. The ConnectWords game has been very well received by the older students. This model is like the well known "Connect 4 game", with a few differences to make it better suited for words for therapy. In all tasks the "?" at the top right hand corner provides directions on how to use the model, and also tips about how to extend and expand the activity.

2. Guest Access to eLr

   The "Guest Access" mechanism is an integral part of our original concept for eLr. It allows clients of any eLr subscribers to login to the website and complete recommended tasks free of charge. We've recently had cause to examine the usage logs of the eLr website from which were are able to extract broad usage statistics. Since we commenced eLr in February 2000, more than 55,000 "Guest" sessions have occurred, each using an average of about 6-7 tasks. Of these, more than 12,000 sessions have occurred in the first 9 months of this year, so the usage continues to grow.

   There are 2 ways to provide your clients with "Guest Access" - the Program Goals Sheet (a paper based method), or the Session Planner (computer generated). The Program Goals Sheet can be found in the "Support" area. Print it and write the task numbers (along with any specific instructions you may have), and your User ID. The computer generated Session Planner was developed because it's faster and can complete much of the form for you. To use the Session Planner, select the tasks from the Directory by clicking the check box. Then open the Session Planner, choose "Edit", and follow the instructions. The process involves typing in the client details, typing in goals, and then selecting the chosen tasks that go with each goal. The completed Goals sheet may then be printed and given to the clients. Instructions at the bottom of the sheet guide the client about how to log on and select their tasks. This "home practice" is a great way to include families in the therapy process.

3. Other Independent Developers

   As an occasional feature of this Newsletter, we include simple, unpaid announcements of products developed by other small, independent developers, who, like ourselves, are practising clinicians who have put their ideas and experience into resource materials for general distribution. Links and brief information about these sites may be found at www.elr.com.au/links/developers.htm. To date we have listed -

   • Innovative Communication Programming
   • News Talk CD
   • PELICAN TALK Speech Therapy Resources
   • Play & Learn/Sounds Song Marathon (Annie Arrow)

   If you would like your materials listed on this page (at no charge), please contact us.

4. Free Downloads

   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.

   • Products: The current ELR Software - Product Brochure, in PDF format.
   • eLr-Offline: Compiled, "mirror" version of the eLr (Extra Language Resources) website which you may download and run on your own PC. Allows access to the eLr Directory and all tasks from locations where regular access to the Internet is not possible.
   • Word Meanings: Volume One. Trialware, Interactive Language Program designed to build understanding and recall of words by strengthening semantic processing, based on the therapy manual Building Language: Word Meanings by Robyn Dower and Jan Mackey's, Helios Art and Book Co, 1996.
   • Rude Readers: Volumes One to Five. Trialware, eBook type programs each containing 5 "Readers" intended primarily for children with speech, language and reading disorders. They are intended to stimulate humour and provide material targeting a range of language goals.
   • Rude Readers Library: A single "Table of Contents" program for all published volumes of Rude Readers containing brief descriptions and the full, cross-referenced Speech Pathology Targets for each published Reader.
   • eLr  Directory (Summary): Summary of eLr Directory in print-ready PDF format. Contains all the classification information but no listing of actual tasks and task numbers. (The full version is available only to eLr subscribers.)
   • EIA  Browser: A specialised Browser for Internet training and access for people with disabilities and other special needs.
   • EIA  Demonstration: Demonstration of EIA Browser, AAP and Web Tutorial modules to let you see, or show others, how the EIA Browser and its Plugin modules (the AAP and the Web Tutorial) "look and feel".
   • Black  Window: Enhance visibility and reduce distractibility of other programs. Fills the screen with a black background which remains underneath other programs. Mininmize or close the program to restore normal Windows appearance.
   • APAR-C: Allows delivery of the APAR (Assessment of Phonological Awareness and Reading) from a computer using either a scan-switch (such as the Discover Switch), or conventional mouse/keyboard, or touchscreen. Also contains all the score sheets and stimulus cards.
   • APAR/PDF (zipped): APAR (Assessment of Phonological Awareness and Reading) in print-ready PDF format (zipped). Contains all the score sheets and stimulus cards.
   • WordCue  Trainer: Installs WordCue and the WordCue Trainer on your computer. WordCue provides assistance in reading words, links and phrases on web pages. By selecting a word or phrase which is difficult to read, a range of cues are provided directly within the MS Internet Explorer Browser
   • Literacy  Online: Mirror of Literacy Online web site. This is the full (except for external links) set of files (.htm/.js/.css/.gif/.jpg) that constitute the Literacy Online web site.
   
    

5. ELR 2006 Calendar

   • November 2006
     Victoria - Yarra Glen

     • Yarra Glen Primary School
       Symonds St:
       Wednesday 1st. 4.00-5.30pm
       Contact: Please contact us for details

     Victoria - Sunbury

     • Sunbury Community Health Centre
       cnr Barkley/Macedon St:
       Friday 17th. 2.00-4.00pm
       Contact: Julie Handy (03) 9744 4455

     Victoria - Swan Hill

     • Swan Hill District Hospital:
       Friday 24th. 2.15-4.15pm
       Contact: Rebecca Wood (03) 5033 9390

   • November-December 2006
     South Australia

     • To be confirmed! Hopefully will be arranged for a time towards the end of the year (or early in 2007).
       Please contact us if you are interested.

   • Additional 2006 workshops
     This year we are holding workshops at locations within Australia that suit your needs and schedules. So if you would like a workshop for your clinicians, staff, or families, please contact us. We are not charging for the workshops, so to make our trip worthwhile, we would need:
     1. to have a venue provided - it is difficult to know the best locations in all areas.
     2. to be able to also hold a general workshop for other clinicians, parents or school staff in your area. It may suit you to have a specific workshop for your staff, so that you are able to "get the most out of" eLr. We would then like to hold a second workshop for any others who may be interested.
     3. to have assistance from you to publicize the workshop. As with the locations, it is quite difficult to know how the different services are organized in the various locations around Australia. We hope that you may be able to use your existing networks to let people know about the workshops.

     For non-Australian clients, please contact us so that we can also plan ways to demonstrate how eLr can assist in your service delivery.

Subscribing/Unsubscribing to this Newsletter

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