ELR Software produces 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) and Word Meanings. 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 -
This month we've made small, but hopefully useful, improvements to 2 eLr models; "Word Flyout" (1002) and "Drag Central" (1017). Both changes were triggered by user feedback, and we thank those clinicians.
Word flyout: This model has a set of words on the left side of the screen, and when a word is clicked, a picture matching the word will appear ("flyout") on the right side of the screen. It is used in 69 tasks which enourage the recognition of certain sounds or spelling patterns within the sections "Phonology - Later Sounds", "Phonological Awareness", and "Reading Spelling"
In many of the tasks delivered with this model, foil words (which don't belong to the target set, and have no matching picture) are included to encourage "considered" responses. We've now added a "question mark" image with the wording "(think again") to these foils to remove some potential confusion.
DragCentral: This is a free form activity used 152 times within the sections "Phonology - Later Sounds" (as a reinforcement for production of sounds), and for a range of goals in "Semantics" (such as concepts, and understanding complex instructions). According to the goals of the task, the instructor is able to provide appropriate instruction and guidance as icons are dragged onto a central picture.
Many of the images in used this model don't have an obvious "left" or "right" orientation, but some, such as a train engine with 2 carriages onto which objects may be placed, pointed to the right of the screen. We've now added a "Flip" control to the model which allows images (such as this train) to point to the left, so enabling subtle spatial variations to be incorporated into clinical instructions.
It's now a year since we introduced universal "Offline" versions of eLr (eLr-Pro for subscribers, and eLr-Guest for free home practice). These new Apps have completely replaced all previous Apple and Windows versions of eLr-Offline. Once installed they will run without internet connection on all modern versions of Windows, MacOS, iPad, Android tablets, and Chromebook devices.
Now, for Windows 10/11, you may also install directly from the Microsoft AppStore if you wish:
For other devices, and older versions of Windows, you should install directly from our web site:
For all devices, once you have an App installed, you'll need to "register" it for ongoing use with the same "Appkeys" we've previously supplied for the iPad eLr-Offline App. If you're not currently a subscriber, please contact us for a free trial.
Here are a few ways to find out about how to use eLr and to be aware of the new tasks and any changes to the way eLr operates.
Go to www.elr.com.au/showme to view our short instructional videos. These are grouped as "Clinical insights" which cover oral language, speech sound disorders, and literacy intervention areas; "How to ..." which outlines the process of providing free home practice for your clients, and "Some of the eLr models" which are short snippets showing how to use some of the eLr models (activity types).
We also run regular free webinars to assist any individuals or groups who'd like learn (or share) more information. For a current listing with registration details of available webinars, please see www.elr.com.au/support/events.htm
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Pinterest to see our regular posts which alert you to new and updated material, and show quick snippets of activity types with links to our free trial offer www.elr.com.au/tryme.
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 offers free eLr 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. We are also offering free Coviu sessions to allow clinicians to get a feel for teletherapy, and in particular the advantages of using eLr for Coviu. Please contact us for details.
For a current listing of available webinars, please see www.elr.com.au/support/events.htm
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr, Build-a-Sentence or Word Meanings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
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