Pictured: Terry Poirier points to the various ministry-licensed software tools that his students have access to.
Terry Poirier knows what a difference technology makes.
Poirier – who is NC’s Autism and Behavioural Sciences (ABS) coordinator and professor of the Educational Assistant – Special Needs Support (EA-SNS) program – is focused on increasing access to assistive technologies that support student learning as well as instruction. Since he arrived at the College in 2011, students in his program areas have more technology at their fingertips. He has worked to equip them with iPads, SmartBoards, tools such as Livescribe smartpens – an audio recording and writing tool that supports literacy for students with disabilities – as well as a full slate of software titles from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
The latter is what Poirier considers to be one of his proudest accomplishments, since NC’s EA program is the only one of its kind in the province that currently has access to ministry-licensed software tools. Since Poirier was able to broker with the ministry successfully to extend its licensing to the College, students have access to software that could have otherwise been cost prohibitive. NC’s IT department has created a virtual desktop that enables students to access the software from anywhere – whether at school, home or at their work placements; from a desktop or mobile device. The license also extends to students in the ABS program and is in place for the duration of their studies at NC.
Poirier noted that EA-SNS students and ABS students use the software in many different ways.
‘Because they are trained to use the software at the College, they will be familiar these essential tools before graduate and interview for jobs at schools, developmental service organizations or clinical practices. When our students are out on placement, they also use the software as a training tool and introducing it to teaching staff who unfamiliar with the technology,” he said. “Also, our program brings in many parents of children with disabilities who are now able to access the supports they can use at home.”
For Poirier, one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is introducing students to new concepts.
“For me, it’s about the constant ‘aha moments’ when you know the students are getting it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter which course I’m teaching or which technologies we’re using, I know it’s something students are going to take with them.”
Poirier is helping to develop a website that he hopes will someday serve as a resource network for the community and stakeholders, including educators, the developmental services sector and NC grads. The website would eventually host apps (developed by IT) to develop social stories – concepts EA students use to practice social skills for various disability groups. He is also assisting School of Community Services academic chair Robynne Smith with plans to potentially develop a technology access centre at the College. The centre is envisioned a place where NC graduates and community stakeholders such as educators and parents of children with disabilities could receive instruction on how to use assistive technology tools.
Poirier comes to the College with a Developmental Services Worker diploma from Algonquin College, an undergraduate degree in Disability Studies from Ryerson University, and a master’s of arts in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Education and Adult Education.
His achievements in education came later in life. As a teenager, Poirier dropped out of high school. He completed his high school diploma in night school during his 20s. The use of assistive technology ignited his passion for lifelong learning and education.
He has a wealth of related experience. He has worked as an EA within the school system as well as an EA professor for Sheraton College. He has worked as a group counsellor for individuals with developmental disabilities as well as mental health issues; and for a school support program for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with autism spectrum disorders. He has also worked for nationwide assistive technology vendor and training provider Bridges Canada.
As Poirier embraces his work at NC, he is the current president of the Association for Special Education Technology Ontario. The organization focuses on assistive technology to support special education and organizes an annual conference held in Niagara Falls each year. The next conference in April 2014.
In the future, he plans on completing a PhD and exploring the ways he can use what he has learned through his experiences to help change policies and practices in instructional designs, particularly when it comes to online environments and student accessibility.
Born in Montreal, Poirier has lived in the Ottawa area, the GTA prior to his recent move to the Niagara region from Milton. He currently lives in Stevensville with his wife Jennifer, who is a vice-principal with the District School Board of Niagara. They have three children.
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