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 -
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) with funding from Networking the Nation (NtN) is providing adaptive technologies at more than 140 library sites in 100 Councils in regional, rural and remote Queensland. The outcome of the project will improve the level of public access by Queensland's rural and remote communities to Internet, library resources and other on-line facilities. http://www.dcita.gov.au/Article/0,,0_1-2_3-4_106337,00.html
The EIA Browser and Web Tutorial, developed by ELR Software, is one of the set of adaptive technologies which has been selected by LGAQ. EIA is a specialized Web Browser, suitable for touchscreen systems, with an integrated training module designed for Internet training and access for people with disabilities and other special needs. http://www.elr.com.au/eiad/index.htm
Most of the libraries concerned will by now have received their copy of the EIA software from us, and will be in the process of installing the new equipment. For new users in libraries from Agnes Water to Yungaburra - from Texas to Thursday Island, welcome to our Newsletter, and we look forward to supporting your library in extending services to a wider community.
ELR Software has a position available for a speech pathologist to suit a new or recent graduate. ELR Software, as well as undertaking software development, also provides clinical services. The position would involve participation in the clinician services (general clinical practice), and there is opportunity to become involved in the activities associated with software development. For more information, please email us, or phone 1800 018 309.
30 new tasks have been added to Reading & Spelling, in the Three Letter Words and Four Letter Words subsections. The "PicTextMatch" model has been used. In this model a picture appears on the screen, and the client chooses which word matches the picture. The words are visually similar, so the tasks provide practice at decoding words which either start or end with the same letters. There is graded difficulty levels, with some tasks requiring a choice between 2 words and others between 4 words.
Use of "gun" picturesWe have reviewed the Syllabification section in Reading and Spelling. Last month we added a new subsection in this area - syllabification of non words. This month the syllabification of real words has been revised. To enable graded practice for clients, the tasks have been arranged so that some tasks focus on words with closed syllables (eg cam-pus), and other on words with open syllables (eg bo-dy).
There is always much discussion about where to break syllables, and in some cases it can depend on the goal of the task (ie if it is for reading or for spelling). When words have double letters, this can be an issue. The general rule for double letters is to split the double letters (eg har-rass). However, clients who are sounding out the word in order to spell the word, will only sound out one /r/ sound, so you could break the syllables as "ha-rrass". Our aim is to provide materials which are useful for a range of needs. So the tasks which focus on double letters are presented in both ways, ie "split double letters", and "unsplit double letters". This enables clinicians to choose the method which suits the goals of the task. We welcome comments about this section, and any of the other sections.
We have had feedback that it would be desirable to have no pictures of "gun" in eLr, particularly in those tasks that would be used by children. We have revised all of the avtivities, and there are now no pictures of guns, or use of the word "gun", eg in rhyming activities. Instead there are now more "goose(s)" in phonology, and more words like "bun" and "sun" in rhyming. So, thanks for the feedback; this is always a potentially contentious issue, but on balance we feel most users will be happy with this change. We certainly don't need to encourage any further violent thoughts in this world.
For Australian residents, ELR Software now has a free-call number 1800 018 309 for phone support. Please feel free to call for specific support or even just comments about what our programs do (or don't do) the way you'd like it.
ELR now 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.
Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, May 4th - 8th, Hobart. We will have a commercial stand during the conference with eLr, Rude Readers, Word Meanings and EIA on show.
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 ©2003 ELR Software Pty Ltd
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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 |