ELR-News

July 2013

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), 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 -

  1. eLr-Offline Beta iPad App Update
  2. New eLr Materials
  3. Other Independent Developers
  4. Free Downloads
  5. ELR 2013 Calendar

  1. eLr-Offline Beta iPad App Update

    A new release of the iPad App version of eLr-Offline Beta "Version 1.3.0.70 Build 2.8.0" for "July 2013" is now available. There are several small "fixes" - mostly to the internal updating process.

    Users who have the Beta App installed can just respond to the TestFlight invitation to update your App, or go to our alternative download mechanism if you've had trouble with TestFlight (contact us for details if necessary). This new version will recognize current Appkeys, but if your Registration expires, contact us for a new Appkey.

    If you're attending the Speech Pathology Australia 2013 National Conference at the Gold Coast, please visit us on stand #5 to see how this App adds to the versatility of eLr.

  2. New eLr Materials

    44 new tasks providing material to strengthen production of vowel sounds have been added to a new section called "Vowel sounds" in "Phonology - Skills and early sounds". This section may be useful for clients who have inaccurate use of vowel sounds, dyspraxia of speech, or who have hearing impairment which often results in inaccurate articulation of vowel sounds. The initial new tasks are in a subsection "Long Vowel Sounds" which targets the /ah, ee, oo, or, ir/ sounds. Two different models are used.

    The Mouth Sounds model encourages production of vowel sounds in syllables with two sounds - consonant-vowel or vowel-consonant syllables. Pictorial representations of both sounds appear on the screen and the client is encouraged to say each syllable and receive feedback from the clinician or helper who reinforces strategies to increase accuracy of production. The client then clicks or touches the "Go" button to change the consonant sound, thus working through a series of syllables using that vowel sound, eg /pah tah kah/. The tasks range in difficulty level, starting with syllables involving consonants with high contrast (eg /mee tee kee fee/), and progressing to low contrast syllables (eg /mee pee/), and syllables with voicing contrasts (eg /per ber/).

    The second model, Slide show, is an activity that provides practice at use of the target vowel sound in words. The client touches the "Go" button to move through pictures and is encouraged to say each word and receive feedback from the clinician or helper about accuracy of production. The tasks range in difficulty, starting with words with two sounds (eg shoe, car), to words with three sounds (eg moon, card), and consonant blends (eg spoon, star).

    As with all eLr materials, we welcome feedback about this new section. This may include ways that you are using the material and suggestions for improvements.

  3. Other Independent Developers

    Links and brief information about other independent developers 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.

  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 2013 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.

    ELR Software is also able to offer free 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-a-Sentence or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au

Copyright ©2013 ELR Software Pty Ltd

Postal ELR Software Pty Ltd
PO Box 1456
Bairnsdale
VIC 3875, Australia
Phone
 
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(03) 5156 8309
1800 018 309
+61 3 5156 8309
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