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 -
Twenty new tasks have been added to "Using Language - Wh Questions". This section was introduced last month using a newly developed model, which we've now renamed "SentenceMaker" to more accurately reflect the processes involved in the activity.
The aim of this section is to teach comprehension of "Wh" questions (eg "who, what doing, what, where"), and to support expressive language focusing on sentence structure. The model incorporates the principles of Colourful Semantics (a system of colour coding the key elements in a sentence), and enables you to modify the activity depending on your goal. The modifications allow you to:
The subsections are organised to enable you to introduce each element separately, and then build sentences starting with 2 elements (eg who + what doing), progressing to 4 elements (eg who + what doing + what + where). Within each subsection tasks are organised according to level of complexity. For example, a task with "6 people, 4 actions" is more complex than a task with "2 children, 3 actions".
As with all eLr materials, we welcome feedback about this new model. This may include ways that you are using the model and suggestions for improvements or additional content that can be considered.
We are still completing development and testing of the iPad App version of eLr-OfflineBeta testers. Thanks again to our Beta testers for your interest and feedback so far. A new release for "March 2013" (build 1.11) is now available.
All the content of this App is fully functional and matches that on the website and in the standard Windows version of eLr-Offline. As you would expect, once installed it doesn't need an internet connection to operate and provides immediate access to the now more than 11,730 eLr tasks.
Remaining to be completed is the mechanism to allow eLr subscribers access to a registered copy of the App. This uses a digital "AppKey" which will be provided free along with the standard registrations. The update this month includes the user interface for initial tests of this registration mechanism. In time a "Guest AppKey" will also be made available for your clients to use for free home practice.
If you are a current eLr subscriber and would like to participate in this free process, please email us from your iPad to support@elr.com.au. We'll reply with an invitation to join the group of Beta testers and instructions about how to install the App.
We've been using a service called "Testflight" to signup testers and deliver the App to their iPad. It's worked without issue for most people, but for a few there have been complications and even failure in the installation process. Please contact us if you've had difficulties which have prevented you getting eLr-Offline Beta successfully onto your iPad. We now have an alternative mechanism which although a bit less sophisticated, is perhaps more reliable.
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-a-Sentence or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
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