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 -
eLr-Offline is a compiled "snapshot" of the eLr website which operates as a "stand-alone" program without need for an internet connection. Although we have compiled a new edition each month since its launch in March 2001, it is essentially only the content and internal layout that's been increasing and changing.
This month we have released a totally new version of eLr-Offline built with a new, more powerful compilation "engine". This is a prelude to adding additional functions, such as the ability for users to directly download monthly updates and to save and deliver sets of eLr tasks to clients in electronic form.
This new version initially looks and behaves almost the same as previous ones. Although we've tested it extensively on Windows 7, Vista and XP, it is possible that there may be compatibility issues we've not uncovered. So the eLr-Offline CDs for the next few months will also include a copy built with the old "engine" which can easily be substituted on your computer if you have any difficulties with the new one. Please contact us if need assistance or have comments about this change.
For the last couple of months we've been working in a new section called "Similarities and Differences", in "Using Language". This month there are 20 new tasks in the "Pictorial-Less Common" subsection. The "Similarities and Difference" section now has a good range of tasks at different levels of difficulty; Picture/Word based and Common/Less Common vocabulary. Picture based tasks tend to be easier than the word based tasks. The tasks in the "Common" section contain activities where the vocabulary is concrete, and the relationship between the items is more obvious. Whereas in the "Less Common" tasks, the vocabulary is more specific and the relationship between items is more abstract, or requires a greater level of world knowledge.
The aim of these tasks is to encourage the client to use specific vocabulary to explain how items might share similarities. It then requires flexible thinking to think about the items in a different way, and discuss the differences. The role of the clinician or carer is to model use of language to explain the relationship between the items, and to encourage the client to discuss the features of the two items that make them similar or different. These types of activities encourage vocabulary development, and the use of complex sentences.
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.
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
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