ELR-News

December 2005

Newsletter of ELR Software Pty Ltd

ABN 67 090 738 702
http://www.elr.com.au
news@elr.com.au

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 -

  1. New eLr Materials
  2. Other Independant Developers
  3. Play & Learn/Sounds Song Marathon (Annie Arrow)
  4. Free Downloads
  5. ELR 2005 Calendar

  1. New eLr Materials

    This month there are 72 new tasks in Semantics - Associations - Synonyms. Two models have been used - "List matching" and "ClueWords". Each set of words is presented in both models. This provides the opportunity to practice the words sets in different ways and at different levels of difficulty.

    The "List matching" model displays two lists of words. The client clicks on a word on the left side of the screen, and then selects a word on the right which has a similar meaning. Reinforcement for correct choice is given by both words being highlighted red, and the two matching words are displayed below the list. This activity may be extended in a number of ways. The client can be encouraged to put the words into sentences, and the subtle differences in meaning can then be discussed. The list may be printed and the activity repeated as a paper based task.

    The "ClueWords" model has 2 levels. The first level is the easiest. A set of words is displayed on the screen. The client clicks the "Go" button and is presented with a "clue" word. The task requires the client to select the word which most closely matches the clue word. The second level is the Keyboard mode (select "Keyboard" at the top of the screen). In this mode, the client is presented with the clue word and is required to type in the matching word. Various levels of cues and hints are possible. The number of letters is displayed for all words. By selecting "Assist", the first, last or vowel letters can be provided. An addiontal way to provide support is to print the list of choices from the first level, where all the words are displayed on the screen. The client is then able to refer to the group of words if they are having trouble recalling the words. This model provides a way to first of all prime the client for the target words, and then strengthens the ability to recall words that have previously been worked on. It also allows the client to practice spelling skills.

    We'd had feedback over the last few months that more material at the higher language level would be useful, and the new materials this month are generally for this purpose. Within the Semantics section, the vocabulary items have been classified as "Common" (easiest level), "Specific" and "Higher" level. The tasks for this month are all within the "Specific" and "Higher" level. Some clients require activities where there are minimal distractions, so the tasks are arranged in level of difficulty from a field of 4, 6 or 8. This means that the client can choose to do tasks where there are only 4 words, and then progress to 6 and then 8 words in a set. There are no duplications of synonyms, which means that there are now 216 different synonym pairs. These activities would be useful for clients who have had a stroke, an acquired brain injury, or who have a developmental learning and literacy impairment.

  2. Other Independant 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 -

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

  3. Play & Learn/Sounds Song Marathon (Annie Arrow)

    This month we're pleased to let you know of Play & Learn/Sounds Song Marathon at www.anniearrow.com created by independant developer Anna Kotevska - a Speech Pathologist with Master of Education.

    Play and Learn features, Sounds Song Marathon - A catchy song with DVD dance clip which introduces Annie Arrow and Bobby Best characters to teach sounds for spelling in a interactive, fun, multi-sensory fashion.

  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.


     
  5. ELR 2005 Calendar



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Copyright ©2005 ELR Software Pty Ltd

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