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. Making a Difference - 2008 Special Education Expo
3. The MusicLanguage Series
4. Other Independent Developers
5. Free Downloads
6. ELR 2008 Calendar

1. New eLr Materials

   There are 48 new tasks in "Reading and Spelling - Diphthong Vowel Sounds". These tasks add to the new sections that were begun last month. The aim of the new sections is to provide activities that help the client discriminate the spelling of diphthong vowel sounds.

   Many people with spelling difficulties have major problems spelling vowel sounds. eLr has sections devoted to each vowel sound. There are 6 short vowels (/a/ cat, /e/ bed, /i/ hit, /o/ hot, /u/ hut, /oo/ book), 5 long vowel sounds (/ar/ car, /ee/ bee, /er/ fern, /oo/ moon, /or/ horn), and 7 diphthong vowel sounds (/ay/ day, /oa/ boat, /oy/ boy, /ow/ howl, /ie/ die, /eer/ deer, /air/ pair). Within each of the vowel sounds there are subsections for the most frequent spelling choices. For example, the /ay/ sound can be spelt with "ay" day, "a_e" cake, "ai" hail.

   The new tasks this month all focus on helping the client work out which is the correct spelling. The new tasks use the ClueWords and Sentence completion models. These models enable the client to work out the appropriate spelling based on the meaning of the word. For example, there are tasks that focus on words like "way, weigh, gait, gate, male, mail" etc.

2. Making a Difference - 2008 Special Education Expo

   We very much enjoyed attending this excellent event in Adelaide. ELR had a trade stand and gave a presentation entitled "Increasing the efficiency of service delivery to students with speech, language & literacy impairments using eLr (Extra Language Resources)". It was very interesting to meet a range of people who work within the Education Department, and it was also a valuable opportunity to share ideas with other providers.

3. The MusicLanguage Series

   This month we're pleased to let you know of The MusicLanguage Series at www.growingwithmusic.com.au and www.latrobe.edu.au/hcs/staff_profiles/joffe.htm. This unique series was created by independent developers Hilary Henshaw and Dr. Beverly Joffe. The three titles in this new series each consist of a double CD pack (including an instrumental only CD, enabling adaptation of each activity to suit the child/ren's needs and interests) and a book which includes music and words, clear concise notes about how to use and extend each activity and specific learning outcomes.

   This software:

   1. provides interactive musical fun to enhance Speech, Language, Emergent Literacy and Musical skills in the early years
   2. incorporates songs, raps, dances, play-alongs, games and stories to develop listening, vocabulary, sentence structure, articulation, communication, self-expression, phonological awareness, alphabet skills, musical skills and music appreciation
   3. considers levels of complexity
   4. incorporates functionality
   5. is ideal for use at Home and in Early Years settings, Early Primary and Music Classrooms, Speech Pathology and Early Intervention Programmes

4. 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
   • ReadingDoctor Software
   • The MusicLanguage Series

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

5. 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.
   • Build-a-Sentence: An interactive program to strengthen labeling of nouns, verbs and objects and production of 2 & 3 part sentences.
   • 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.
   
    

6. ELR 2008 Calendar

   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.

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, Build-s-Sentence or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au