The L&D calendar's premier elearning conference is almost upon us so we caught up with Agnieszka Chrząszcz from AGH-University of Science and Technology Centre of Elearning in Poland to tell us more about Online Educa 2014.

Tell us about your talk at Online Educa.

This year we propose a whole day pre-conference event open for everyone that focuses on portfolio practice, evidence-based learning and open badges. As a Europortfolio community we invite educators, experts and practitioners to join the e-portfolio and open badges workshop, to practice evaluation of portfolio maturity and to network with others. The event is divided into two main session: in the morning we will get to know each other and help the participants to select the afternoon sessions. Our main focus is on Maturity Matrix, Competence Framework, Implementation Guidelines and Online Courses as our main products that we want to share and develop with the comminity.

Who else are you looking forward to hear talk?

I'd be very curious to hear the discussion between Hans Rosling, Stephen Downes and Dan Peters during the 'Education Reality Check' plenary on Friday. And of course, I will join the session on Open Badges led by Ilona Buchem and Eric Leon Rene Rousell.

What do you think have been the big steps forward in education and technology this year?

I would say that the hype around MOOCs has influenced a change in the approach to learning and teaching in many universities in my region. Our students take part in MOOCs mostly delivered by American universities, in English. In that sense our local institutions need to rethink their issues of delivery and recognition of competences. However they need to act now and in this sense the positive pressure of global MOOCs has the potential to change local education. 

What trends do you think will come out of this year’s event?

I wonder if games and gamification will still be on the agenda. I can also see significant amount on MOOCs and OERs - would those two trends combine?

Have a look here for more info on Agnieszka's pre-conference session