About FVDES

John Goldsmith (Grade 7, Socials 11, Career and Personal Planning 11,12)

It seems as if I’ve been involved with distance education in one way or another for most of my teaching career. That’s not entirely true but close. I began teaching way back in the early 70’s in a place called Fort St. John. Starting off as Junior High School English and Social Studies teacher, I moved into a library position a few years later.

When computers started appearing in the school system, I was one of the first to get involved. That probably explains why my school was one of the first in BC to have a computerized student management system, a networked IBM compatible computer lab and an automated OPAC and circulation system in the library. It wasn’t long before I gained a reputation for being a “techie”.

In the mid ‘80’s, the first regional correspondence school was opened in Fort St John. Soon after, the acting principal, Mr. John Manly asked me to help set up their first piece of high-tech computer equipment - an “Optel” device. It used an MS DOS program and I was the only one in the district who had any experience with this operating system. From this one small favour, my involvement with distance education and online schooling began.

Since then, I have had the privilege of being involved with (in one way or another) most of the major B.C. online education initiatives, such as; The Southern Interior Telecommunications Project, The New Directions In Distance Learning Program and the SFU x-Change Program.

Along the way, my family and I have moved south to Chilliwack, B.C. and I've landed a job at another DE centre, the Fraser Valley Distance Education School.

As you can imagine, a lot has changed in the DE world since those early days of “Optel”. Nevertheless, this remains a fantastic place to be. I have had the privilege of working with some incredible technology and outstanding students. I expect that trend to continue. Perhaps some day I’ll have the pleasure of working with you. I hope so.

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