The aim of this newsletter is to inform you of developments and changes to our major products eLr (Extra Language Resources) 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 http://www.elr.com.au/news and an email version is sent monthly to members of our mailing list (See Subscribing/Unsubscribing).
In this issue -
ELR Software will be holding two informal workshops about eLr (Extra Language Resources) and EIA (Enhancing Internet Access) in the lead up to the ARATA 2001 conference. Attendance is free, so feel free to attend - see details below. We'd appreciate an RSVP, so phone and leave a message on (03) 5156 8309.
eLr subscribers would have received a replacement CD this month. eLr-Offline was a new initiative introduced last February, to counter some of the difficulties of web access. There was a small "bug" overlooked in our original programming which prevented access on (or after) the 28th August. This has been fixed, and replacement CDs sent out to all subscribers. Please contact us if your CD did not arrive, or if there have been any other problems with using the program.
eLr offers the combined properties of CD and Internet access and this "bug" underscored the value of our Web orientated program design. It means that if one system is not available, there is a backup program which can be used. Not infrequently I get to a school, and remember that my eLr CD is on the kitchen table. These days it doesn't take long to find an Internet computer which then allows the therapy service to continue.
Although a number of users prefer, and sometimes only have equipment to use eLr without an Internet connection, we would encourage all users to become at least passingly familiar with using eLr from the Web. While we don't plan to cause any more such errors, the opportunities for alternative access and direct access to all new, current tasks make the Web option very valuable. At any time you can also download the current version of eLr-Offline for installation on your own computer (see below)
There are 16 new tasks in Reading and Spelling - 4 letter words. The tasks involve the Typing with Words model, as this is an activity which most students enjoy. So about 3 tasks appear in each of the subsections (ie using vowel "a", "e", "i", "o", "u", and "assorted"). In the coming months this model will also be added to the "e rule" subsection.
Four new tasks have been added to Phonology - Auditory Discrimination - Medium Contrast Consonants. The tasks target "w/l", "w/r", "l/r" and "f/th" confusions. Auditory discrimination was a new section added last month. It uses one model (called WhiteboardPics). The model usually consists of 6 pairs of pictures. At any one time, two pictures are presented to the client. These can be "shuffled", and the next pair presented by clicking the VCR arrow. The task can be used receptively (ie "show me the ...."), or expressively, by having the client name one of the pairs for the clinician.
The Memory Games in Phonology - Sound by Sound now allow the clinician to select the speed at which the cards flip over. We received feedback from some clinicians that the non-matching cards should stay on the screen for a longer period of time before being automatically turned over. This would then allow the client to articulate each word, or produce the word in a sentence etc. The model now allows the clinician to select the speed that the card turns over. By clicking "Slow", the cards remain for 5 seconds before flipping over. The default speed is 1.75 seconds. This choice allows for those times when you would prefer the game to proceed at a faster rate. We're happy to receive further feedback about the speed. Let us know if it's long enough, and we can change the speed.
Email and the ELR-News is the most efficient way to keep registered users informed of new tasks, and other changes to the site. We made use of email to contact people and explain the recent bug in eLr-Offline. We were able to contact most people, but there were some users whose email was "bounced" back to us. So, just a reminder to inform us of changes in email addresses, so that you continue receive the ELR-News, and also any other notices.
And of course, if you wish additional email addresses to be added, or removed from our list, please contact us.
The current version of eLr-Offline is always available for downloading from http://www.elr.com.au/offline. Fill in the form, download the installation program to your computer and run it. If you are a registered user who has already installed eLr-Offline, the installer will simply overwrite your older version with the most recent version, and you can continue to use it as normal. If you are not a subscriber, the program will run in "Unregistered Mode" for you to evaluate.
We have had requests from some larger institutions for extra copies of the eLr-Offline CD. We are drafting up a policy and price list for this service, and would welcome any feedback or suggestions about your specific needs in relation to this. The new service will be operational by January 2002, and we will publish the price list and method of requesting the extra CDs.
Unregistered trial version (fully functional, but pages watermarked as "unregistered")
http://www.elr.com.au/offline
Unregistered trial version (fully functional, but time limited)
http://www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
Demonstration of Browser, Tutorial and AAP
http://www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
For other supporting materials and documents available for free download, please see http://www.elr.com.au/support.htm.
Rob and Toni will be presenting workshops entitled "Internet Therapy Options for Speech Pathologists" in Sydney and Brisbane. These two hour sessions will focus on the use of eLr and EIA by Speech pathologists. Admission will be free and participants will have an opportunity for special pricing on our products.
The Low Incidence Unit of Education Queensland is holding its 2001 Training and Development Seminar for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists at the Riverglenn Conference Centre at Indooroopilly in Brisbane. ELR Software will be attending as part of the Trade Display. We look forward to meeting up with our colleagues in sunny Queensland.
The Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association Conference 2001 is to be held at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Brisbane. More than 300 delegates from Australia and overseas will be attending the conference. There is usually a mix of clients, assistive technology vendors, and professionals including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, orthotists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation engineers and educators. ELR Software will be presenting a 2.5 hour workshop covering the increasing range of products which have been developed by us over the past 3 years.
The ALIA 2001 Conference will be held in the Melbourne Convention Centre on the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets. ALIA is the professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector and this conference will feature presentations and discussions of new developments in public libraries. ELR Software has submitted a paper for consideration and hopefully we'll be presenting this paper, as well as having a trade stand there. On our stand we'll have the EIA Browser with new software enhancements, in particular "WordCue", as well as several, different types of touchscreens suitable for use in libraries and other public locations.
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
Copyright ©2001 ELR Software Pty Ltd
Postal |
ELR Software Pty Ltd PO Box 1456 Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia |
Phone International |
(03) 5156 8309 +61 3 5156 8309 |
Fax International |
(03) 5156 8609 +61 3 5156 8609 |