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 -
A total of six workshops were held for speech pathologists - three in the Sydney area (two in Sydney and one in Newcastle), and three in the Brisbane area (Brisbane, Caboolture and Ipswich). There were good attendances at all venues. The clinicians, teachers and special educators were interested in our main product (eLr), and also in the programs currently being developed (Rude Readers and Word Meanings).
Three demonstrations were also held for library staff at Brisbane City Council, Ipswich Library, and the Caboolture Library. The focus of these meetings was to look at the EIA Browser and Tutorial, which has been developed to assist people with special needs access the Internet.
ELR Software also had a trade stand at the 10th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Brisbane (24 - 26 July). We enjoyed listening to the extremely stimulating papers which were presented. These ranged from research directed at the specific nature of language impairment, to the social implications of acquired language disorders. It was a great opportunity to meet overseas researchers and specialists in the area of aphasiology, and it provided our team with up to date information which will be incorporated into new areas in eLr.
We have the pleasant opportunity of being in Townsville in September, and so have arranged several workshops in far north Queensland. The exact times and locations are currently being negotiated, but tentative arrangements are as follows:
Townsville - Friday afternoon, 20th September
Cairns - Monday or Tuesday, 23rd/24th September
The times and locations will be finalised within the next week. These workshops will be free, and interested people could contact us via email or phone to register. Each workshop will be about 2 hours, and will cover the following material:
There have been 192 new tasks added to the Reading and Spelling section using a new model called "SmileyMan". This is an adaptation of traditional Hangman - with a more positive reinforcement of success! The new tasks essentially repeat the word sets of the "WordSearch" tasks in this area, providing an alternative way of delivering this material. There are two modes, "default" and "expert", which make the tasks easily modified for different skill levels, and which provide the opportunity to complete repetitions and strengthen the visual memory for spelling patterns.
In the default mode, the client can get hints - by clicking on missing letters the letters are revealed. Solved or hinted letters can also be "clicked away", so the selection can start again. Also in this mode, at the end of the game an incomplete word is fully revealed. If the client is unable to solve it independently, they can redo the word by clicking "Try Again". This provides extra practice for tricky words.
In "expert" mode, no clues are available, and at the end of each game, only completed words are fully revealed. Question marks appear where there were unsolved letters, and the client has the opportunity to keep trying by clicking "Try Again".
The "Try Again" button can be clicked any number of times, providing repeat practice at spelling the target words.
The current version of eLr-Offline is always available for downloading . Fill in the form, download the installation program to your computer and run it. If you are a registered user who has already installed eLr-Offline, the installer will simply overwrite your older version with the most recent version, and you can continue to use it as normal. If you are not a subscriber, the program will run in "Unregistered Mode" for you to evaluate.
www.elr.com.au/offline
Unregistered trial version (fully functional, but time limited). For Internet training and access for people with disabilities and other special needs.
www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
Demonstration of the EIA Browser, Tutorial and AAP. Will let you see, or show others, how the EIA Browser and its Plugin modules (the AAP and the Web Tutorial) "look and feel". It is just a demonstration - it will not allow actual Web browsing.
www.elr.com.au/eiad/demo.htm
This summary version of the printable eLr Directory is useful for quick reference and an overview of the scope of eLr. Registered users have access to a full Directory, which contains all the section and sub-section headings, individual task titles and task numbers.
www.elr.com.au/support.htm#elrdir
For other supporting materials and documents available for free download, please see www.elr.com.au/support.htm.
You are receiving ELR-News because you are an eLr subscriber, or have expressed an interest in either eLr or EIA. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail with details to news@elr.com.au
Copyright ©2002 ELR Software Pty Ltd
| Postal |
ELR Software Pty Ltd PO Box 1456 Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia |
| Phone International |
(03) 5156 8309 +61 3 5156 8309 |
| Fax International |
(03) 5156 8609 +61 3 5156 8609 |