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 -
This month 32 new tasks have been added to "Reading and Spelling, Short Vowel Sounds - Longer Words". The model is MultiWord Slideshow, using a "detect the real word" activity. The aim of these tasks is to provide material to strengthen letter sound relationships. Each item has 3 non-words and one real word. The client is encouraged to read each word aloud before selecting the real word. This ensures that the client processes each letter in the word.
Fluent readers use a combination of strategies. Once they have mastered letter sound knowledge, many words become automatic, and are recognized by sight. They also use context to increase fluency. However, we are all faced with unfamiliar words which are essentially "non-words" to that reader. When that happens we need to use our knowledge of letter sound relationships to accurately work out the word. Inaccurate decoding of unfamiliar words can substantially affect our ability to comprehend what we are reading.
In the "Reading and Spelling" sections of eLr, there are tasks that provide practice at decoding non-words. The easiest level is "Short vowel sounds - 3 letter words". The new tasks this month focus on the next level of difficulty, "Short vowel sounds - longer words". They contain four or more letters and use the short vowel sounds, the /a/ sound as in hat, /e/ bed head, /i/ bit, /o/ hot watch, /u/ hut won, and /oo/ book could bush. Within each vowel category, there are three levels of difficulty. In level 1 words, each sound has a letter. Level 2 words contain consonant digraphs, and level 3 words are multisyllabic.
The non-words have been carefully selected so that the pronounciation of each non-word will not be confused with a real word. For example, non-words like /wrest/ are not included, as the client may read /wrest/ as "rest". This means that the tasks do not require high level spelling skills. Instead, the focus is on accurate decoding. However, it is suggested that after the client has read the non-words, they write the words to dictation to encourage their ability to process sounds in words.
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 -
If you would like your materials listed on this page (at no charge), please contact us.
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.
ELR Software is now able to offer eLr support and short tutorials over the web. We can provide this sort of support to individuals, or to groups who would like to have an overview of eLr. Please contact us for details.
- Speech Pathology Australia 2009 National Conference:
Sunday 17th - Thursday 21st
We will have a trade stand at this conference. Contact us for further details
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr, Rude Readers, Word Meanings, Build-s-Sentence or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
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