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 -
There are 28 new activities in "Phonology Later Sounds /k/ and /g/", in a new subsection called "Phonemic awareness for this sound". The tasks use a range of models aimed at increasing the client's ability to process sounds in words, with a focus on the particular sound they are having problems producing. Research has demonstrated that children with speech sound errors frequently have impairments of phonemic awareness and literacy development. So these tasks support the development of foundation literacy skills associated with the child's specific speech sound errors. We'll continue to add similar tasks for the other sounds over the coming months.
The MultiPic Slideshow model strengthens the ability to identify the pictures that starts or ends with a particular sound. The SpinPics and LadderPics models provide game based activities to consolidate the ability to identify the word that starts or ends with a particular sound. Pic sound buttons encourages the client to name the picture and then segment the word into sounds. Reinforcement of sound letter links is provided as the client clicks on buttons to check that they have segmented the word accurately. In all of these activities the clinician or support person plays a critical role by ensuring that the client has segmented the word accurately, and providing feedback for correct identification of words that start or end with the target sound.
We've also added a new item to the "Where is? - locating common target areas" section in "User Guides". This section was developed to help users find particular sorts of activities. The first 6 target areas covered were "Blending and segmenting activities", "Basic concept words", "Similarities and differences", "Word finding", "Categorisation", "Verb tense" and "Non-words for literacy development". This month we've added "Sequencing".
Time to enter our Apple iPad draw has almost run out - don't miss it! The lucky winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday June 29th at the Speech Pathology Australia 2011 National Conference in Darwin. Our entry form (see below) asks that you leave us comments about "What do you like", "What would you like to see changed" and "What would you like to see added" to eLr. We've had some very valuable comments.
To be eligible for the draw, you must have a current eLr subscription on 1st of July 2011. So any new subscribers in 2011 will be automatically eligible, as will current subscribers with an expiry date of July 2011 or later. Current subscribers whose subscriptions expire before June 2011 will also be eligible if they renew at any time before the draw. If you have a multiuser subscription, all those covered by the subscription may individually enter.
Entries are open until June 28th 2011. To enter the draw, you must fill out and submit the electronic form at www.elr.com.au/ipad.htm. Or you can phone us on (03) 5156 8309 to give us your details. Several entrants have also asked for materials which we're continuing to cover in the new "Where is?" section (see above). There've also been some great positive comments, such as:
"Able to work across sites. Always have activities for clients and can quickly adapt during the session. Able to give guest use access for home practice. I like the new ability to download the rego key and renew online."
"Why did you give me such a small space? I like the variety of activities available. I like that you guys keep adding new ones all the time. I like that my long term kids can get further practice outside the environment of 'the scrapbook'. I like that I can print the kids a program for home. I like that you respond to my technical questions quickly and efficiently. I like that you are available at conferences every year to have questions answered. I like that you take on the ideas that we offer for improvements or changes in the program. I like the great value for money I get. The list goes on. This is by far one of my most valuable resources."
"The sheer variety of exercises keeps my son interested and engaged; and less likely to just remember and answer the activities by rote."
"I continue to explore the site using different activities for different children. My children with autism find it motivating and the repetitive nature makes it easy for them to learn."
More next month.
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.
- Speech Pathology Australia 2011 National Conference:
Sunday 26th - Wednesday 29th
We will have trade stand #43 at this conference. Contact us for further 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
Copyright ©2011 ELR Software Pty Ltd
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