Speakers

This year the Spotlight committee has again been blessed by the presence of some great speakers, presenters and leaders :


DAY 1

Keynote Day 1: Mr Dean Groom

Dean Grooms Blog Image

Deans Background

Dean Groom is a researcher, writer, designer and teacher. Currently Dean works at at the University of New South Wales in Arts and Social Science and is undertaking a PhD in games media and culture.

Deans professional background goes back to the mid 1990s in advertising and design building one of Australia’s pioneering digital-design agencies winning local and international awards for clients such as Air New Zealand, Bankers Trust and Peugeot. 

Since this time Dean has been involved in developing online communities and working with digital media. In 2002 Dean decided he would like a change and took out his B.Ed in Secondary (Technology) from the University of Western Sydney in 2002 and so enthused in 2012 he took out his M.Ed in Information Technology from Charles Sturt University.


Dean is undertaking a doctorate at Macquarie University under Professor Catherine Lumby in Media & Communications. He is investigating how families come to know and negotiate video games and game cultures.


Dean is an active contributor to the online community with particular interest in the use of games to deliver education. Dean was a key presenter at the ABC Splash! Live conference “Digital Ideas for the Classroom” in 2013.


Deans interests include street & Portrait Photography, Motorcycles, Volkswagens, Alfas, and of course MMOs




































Day 1 Google Trainers:

Molly Schroeder

About Molly Schroeder

Molly Schroeder is a Technology Integration Specialist for Public Schools in the District of Edina in Minneapolis.

Prior to working at the district level, she taught 5th grade for 10 years.  She is a Google Certified Teacher and Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer.  


Molly presents at conferences, workshops and conventions around the world on how to integrate emerging and engaging technologies into the classroom.  Molly is one of the founders of Flipped Education, a company dedicated to providing relevant technology integration professional development for educators and technology education consulting.  

Molly Schroeder























Jim Sill

Jim Sill

About Jim Sill

Jim Sill is a Google Certified Teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Education Trainer and Apple Certified Trainer.

Originally Jim had a career spanning almost a decade in the video and television industry, finally Jim moved away from TV and video production and embarked on a career in education. 

In 2009 using his industry experience, he created an award winning video production program at El Diamante High School in Visalia, CA. By involving students in real world video projects, they garnered awards and recognition at the local, state, and national level.

Jim travels the world leading professional development workshops on topics that include Using Video for Social Change, Cinematic Narrative Techniques, Encouraging a Creative Student, Google in the Classroom and much more. Today, Jim is an Educational Technology Consultant and works with educators around the world.

















DAY 2



Keynote Day 2: To be Advised

Dan Haesler Blog IMage

Dan's Background

Dan Haesler is an international keynote speaker, teacher, writer & consultant.

Dan’s background in education can be traced back to 1999 where he qualified from Liverpool John Moore’s University as a Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Teacher.

From being Head of Year 10 in one of England’s largest inner-city high schools to his position of Head of House at Emanuel School in Sydney where he was described as:

“… a charismatic leader and guide to the students, having that right mix of common sense and positivity, and has had a considerable impact on so many of them. In recent years …. Mrs Anne Hastings”

throughout his teaching career, Dan has worked with students, teachers, parents and wider communities from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. During this time Dan has acquired a deep understanding of youth issues through his development of educational programs to support youth at risk.

Dan has been described as an engaging, thought provoking speaker and educator, someone who pushes the boundaries and challenges the way people think about education and engagement.

Currently Dan’s work centres around the relationships between engagement, wellbeing, achievement and leadership. Dan’s conversation and advice empowers organisations, schools and individ