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), Build-a-Sentence, Word Meanings Rude Readers 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 -
Twenty-four new tasks have been added to "Semantics-Concepts". We have been adding to the concept categories over the past 3 months. This month most of the tasks are in a new new subsection "quantity" which has activities targeting the early concept of "counting", and the more abstract concepts of "few/many/most/all/some". There are also new tasks in a new subsection of "inclusive/exclusive" called "all but one/except".
All of the new tasks use the LR IconPlacer model. This model presents a scene and 9 icons on the screen. Each task has 9 instructions (prompts) which provide a guide in how to use the task. This is a free form model, which means the icons may be placed in any location. The role of the clinician or helper is to provide feedback about the accuracy of the response, and to model use of the concept at a language level appropriate to the client. You can modify the task by turning these prompts "off". This allows you to give instructions targeting different goals, or use the activity as a barrier game, where you and the client take turns in giving instructions.
If you prefer the icons to remain on the scene (rather than return to the side of the screen when you move to the next instruction), deselect "Auto-reset". Some children enjoy building up a picture. This may be printed and used as a paper based activity, encouraging the client to use expressive language to describe the picture.
We are planning to visit the UK in July/August 2009. We will be available to provide a series of free introductory workshops during July and early August (see below). We invite interested people to contact us if you would like to attend, or if you would like to host a workshop at your workplace. Our offer is that we will provide a free 2-hour introductory workshop, if a venue is provided and if you are able to use your existing networks to publicize the event.
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.
- Monday July 6th to Tuesday August 11th. Dates and places to be determined and the web page www.elr.com.au/notices/ukworkshops.htm will list arrangements as they come to hand. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in hosting or attending a workshop.
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
Copyright ©2009 ELR Software Pty Ltd
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ELR Software Pty Ltd PO Box 1456 Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia |
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