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 -
This month we have continued to work in the "Reading and Spelling" section. There are 118 new tasks in "Short vowel sounds - longer words". Last month we implemented a major revision of the vowel sections in "Reading and Spelling". The aim is to provide a systematic way of working on vowel sounds and the different spelling options for each of the vowel sounds. The 18 vowel sounds are divided into "Short vowels", "Long vowels", and "Diphthong vowel sounds". For each spelling option there will be 3 levels of difficulty. Level 1 contains words where there is sound - letter correspondence. The Level 2 words do not have sound letter correspondence, so words will contain consonant digraphs, such as /ck/, /sh/ etc. Level 3 words are multisyllabic. The words for this month are the Level 2 words in "Short vowel sounds - longer words".
This revision has been an interesting and satisfying process. It was interesting because when you collate the lists of spelling options you find that many of the so called "exceptions" actually contain only a few words. For example, the /o/ sound spelt with "a" has about 6 common words (wash watch squash salt was want). There are a few others, but they are not commonly used words. It's satisfying because eLr can now provide activities for each spelling option at levels which match your client's skills. I also have found that the models used in these sections are fun, and cover a good range of skills, ie WordSearch, LookThenCover, SmileyMan, ConnectWords. Another model, Word Sound Buttons which gives practice at breaking the words into sounds will be added over the coming months.
Feel free to give us your feedback. We are often able to respond to your suggestions and value your opinions on what works, and what your wishlist might be.
Following the "Reading and Spelling" review last month, we inadvertently introduced a bug in the "Session Planner". It meant that the "Edit" option in the "Session Planner" didn't work if it included any tasks from the new subsections of "Long Vowels", or "Diphthong Vowel sounds". The bug has been fixed this month. It will only affect people who have the February Edition of eLr-Offline (as a new subscription or 6-month update in January). Please contact us, if this is affecting your ability to provide "Session Plans". If you use eLr directly from the website, this bug won't affect you.
Our plans are well under way for our trip to Canada and the UK. We will be in Canada from 11th - 28th April. Two workshops have been organized and we will be attending the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Conference (CASLPA) in Moncton, New Brunswick. We are in the UK from 30th April till 18th May. A number of workshops are being organized and hosted by speech pathologists who have either used eLr or who want to know more about it. So, feel free to contact us if you'd like to attend or host a workshop.
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.
- To be confirmed! Hopefully will be arranged for a time early in the 2007 school year.
Please contact us if you are interested.
- Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (CASLPA) 2007 Conference:
Wednesday 25th - Friday 27th
We will have a trade stand at this conference. Contact us for further details
Sydney - Australia
- Monday April 30th to Friday May 18th. Dates and places to be determined and the web page www.elr.com.au/notices/uk_workshops_2007.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.
- Speech Pathology Australia 2007 National Conference:
Sunday 27th - Thursday 31st
We will have a trade stand at this conference. Contact us for further details
For non-Australian clients, please contact us so that we can also plan ways to demonstrate how eLr can assist in your service delivery.
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr, Rude Readers, Word Meanings or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
Copyright ©2007 ELR Software Pty Ltd
| Postal |
ELR Software Pty Ltd PO Box 1456 Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia |
| Phone International |
(03) 5156 8309 1800 018 309 +61 3 5156 8309 |
| Fax International |
(03) 5156 8609 +61 3 5156 8609 |