ELR-News

March 2003

Newsletter of ELR Software Pty Ltd

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

ELR Software combines the skills of speech pathologists and software designers to create software for speech, language and literacy intervention. Our programs may be used within therapy, to increase efficiency in service delivery using the Internet and CD based materials, 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 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. Rude Readers Volumes 1 and 2 Now Available
  2. New eLr Materials
  3. Free Downloads
  4. ELR 2003 Calendar

  1. Rude Readers Volumes 1 and 2 Now Available

    The first 2 volumes of "Rude Readers", by John Fisher and ELR Software, are now available for purchase. Each "Reader" is a computer program which contains 5 separate illustrated, children's stories intended to stimulate humour and provide material targeting a range of language goals. They use "naughty" words and ideas to interest a child, and teach a few things about language (eg syntax, semantics, phonology, pragmatics). Within the text, everything is controlled - phrase and sentence length & complexity, syntax, vocabulary, spelling. The programs enable clinicians to open a "Reader" for reading on-screen as an "eBooK", and to print off copies for clients, either in colour, or with sketch drawings if the child would like to colour in the pictures.

    "Rude Readers" is distributed in 2 different forms. The first is on CD and allows the user to either install the Volume onto a computer they own or control, or to open the Volume directly from the CD. The second is electronically distributed, and is a 20% cheaper, but doesn't include an option to run the program without prior installation. Both forms are available with a Single User Licence, or Multi-User Licence (more than 3 users).

    Our "Rude Readers" support website http://www.elr.com.au/readers to allow electronic downloads and Credit Card payments is still being developed. A temporary, printable order form is at http://www.elr.com.au/readers/orders.htm. If you visit the site, and don't find the download and/or payment mechanisms, please check back in a few days, or contact us directly. We look forward to sharing these "John's gems" with you, and as always, welcome any feedback.

  2. New eLr Materials

    Sixteen new tasks have been added to Reading and Spelling, in the subsections "Three Letter Words - assorted vowels" and "Four Letter Words - assorted vowels". These tasks are a continuation of the new materials which were added last month. The goal of the tasks is to strengthen the ability to decode words which look similar. The "PicTextMatch" model has been used. In this model, a picture appears on the screen, and the client chooses the word which matches the picture. Some of the tasks focus on the initial letter (eg pig rig fig), others on the final letter (eg map mat mad), and other tasks contrast initial, final and vowel sounds (eg dog dug dot hog). The tasks would be useful for clients with literacy difficulties, and also for clients with acquired language disorders who need to focus on the phonological aspects of written and spoken words.

  3. Free Downloads

    ELR now 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.


     
  4. ELR 2003 Calendar



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Copyright ©2003 ELR Software Pty Ltd

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VIC 3875, Australia
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