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), Rude Readers, Word Meanings 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 has hit a landmark this month with over 10,000 activities. The program was launched in February 2000, and at that point it had about 1,800 activities. Each month over the past 8 years we have been beavering away, adding new tasks, new models, and new sections. There seems to be no end to the possibilities and needs. So keep giving us feedback and ideas, and we'll attempt to provide engaging activities that target specific needs, and enable you to provide efficient sessions and home programs.
There are 144 new tasks in "Reading and Spelling - Diphthong Vowel Sounds". Within this section there are 7 diphthong sounds. Each sound has a number of sub-sections focusing on the most common spellings of that sound. For example, the /oa/ sound (as in 'boat') has 5 common spelling patterns (eg "oa" foal, "oe" doe, "ow" blow, "o_e" nose, and "o" most).
So the tasks this month are in a newly added sub-sections called "assorted spellings for this sound", one for each diphthong sound. They are intended to give the client practice at discriminating the spelling patterns. For example, some activities specifically target spelling confusions, eg road/rode, lone/loan, doe/dough. The models used in these tasks are LookThenCover (to introduce a set of words), Word sound buttons (to practice sounding out the words), WordSearch, MemoryWords and ConnectWords (to reinforce word recognition), and SmileyMan (for spelling practice). Feedback from clinicians and teachers is that these activities are motivating, and encourage repetition.
The Speech Pathology Australia 2008 National Conference in New Zealand was fun, informative, social, and a total success. Toni attended many of the excellent presentations, and we enjoyed meeting current subscribers and clinicians who were interested in finding out more about eLr and our other programs. Conferences provide a great opportunity to listen to new research, chat informally to colleagues, and share ideas about incorporating research findings into clinical practice. The ELR team appreciate hearing your suggestions about ways to improve our software. So thanks and we look forward to seeing you again next year in Adelaide!
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.
- Making a Difference - 2008 Special Education Expo:
Tuesday 8th
We will be presenting session 7.52 - "Increasing the efficiency of service delivery to students with speech, language & literacy impairments using eLr (Extra Language Resources)". We will also have a display stand at this 3 day expo. 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 ©2008 ELR Software Pty Ltd
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