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 21 new tasks in the "Semantics-Concepts-Spatial" section. We are aware that there is a great need for activities to strengthen the client's understanding of concept words, and also their ability to use concept words within functional speech. For the next couple of months, we'll be focusing on this area.
This month, most of the tasks are in two new sub sections - "Front/behind", and "First/middle/between/last", and there are also three new tasks in an existing sub section - "On/under/beside/next to". In each of the sections, the tasks start with very simple pictures (eg putting the icon "in front" or "behind" a horse). As you progress through the items, you'll notice that the scenes become more complex and may depict an activity. For example, in one task, a woman is mopping the floor, and the instructions relate to putting items "between the bucket and the stairs" etc.
All of the new tasks use the LR IconPlacer model which has been slightly modified this month. This model is used to encourage the client to follow and give verbal instructions. The screen displays a scene and a number of little pictures (icons). There are a series of prompt instructions which are read to the client by the clinician/ helper. During the activity, spontaneous language is encouraged, and because the icons may be placed anywhere, the clinician is able to add complexity or make the task simpler, to suit the needs of the client. The modification this month is that as you move between instructions, the icons return to their original position. This means that during the task, each item will have an equal level of complexity. However, if you would prefer the icons to accumulate on the scene (as they have done previously), de-select the "Auto-reset" check box.
eLr is built as an online/offline browser application dependant upon Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE). We've worked over the years to support all versions of MSIE from ver5 to ver7 on Windows 98 to Vista. Microsoft is in the process of developing/releasing the next version of MSIE known as MSIE ver8. To date the only issue we've found is with the "Embedded font" icons we use in many of the drag'n'drop type activities. If this doesn't work properly you would see digits 0-9 instead of the various small animals, vehicles etc.
We've developed a solution to this which seems to work for all versions of MSIE so online users should now have no problems when using MSIE ver8. However, eLr-Offline will probably fail with versions earlier than the April 2009 edition if MSIE ver8 is installed. If you have installed a version of MSIE ver8 and found eLr is not working properly, we'd appreciate hearing from you.
Preparations are under way for the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference in Adelaide, 17-21 May 2009. We look forward to catching up with many of our current subscribers, and meeting clinicians who may not have seen eLr, Build-a-Sentence and Word Meanings. Come and visit us at stand #59.
If you would like a "hands on" introduction or training about any of our programs, we would be happy to provide a web-based session at a time that suits you. Basically we transmit our live computer screen through your web browser, and we speak together over a standard phone line. It's most efficient for us if you can assemble a small group of interested people. Depending on numbers you'll need a speaker type phone and a screen projector so that you all can easily see. We also need to do a "trial session" before the main event to be sure that the connections are performing properly. Contact us to arrange a suitable times. There are no costs to you for this service.
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 2009 National Conference:
Sunday 17th - Thursday 21st
We will have trade stand #59 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 ©2009 ELR Software Pty Ltd
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