Dear “e-mentor” Readers,

Among the vital chances for academic community in 2015, one should certainly distinguish the approaching competitions within the Operational Programme: Knowledge, Education, Development. One of the programme aims is strengthening organizational changes as well as increasing the level of competence among staff in higher education, with particular attention to innovative didactic and IT skills and to skills of using professional databases for teaching and managing information. This is a very good opportunity for improving modern teaching methods and e-didactics as well as efficient usage of big data for optimizing teaching processes. For preparing effective plans of the development of staff competence and competition applications, the specialists will be required who on one hand have great e-educational competencies and on the other - are familiar with the university's needs and operational capabilities. So, the universities who for many years have been developing their own know-how in the range of using modern technology in teaching, will have the competitive advantage.

When creating the university's know-how in the range of modern technology in teaching, it is worth to notice the need for the specialization of distance teaching educationalists. The universities who already employ people dealing with e-education methods will certainly be interested in the possibility of formal confirmation of their competencies. It may prove to be a significant factor in the evaluation of the institution's preparation for realization of the activities applied within the abovementioned competitions. Responding to those needs, the Association of Academic E-learning has launched the third edition of certification process for online teaching specialists, that is for those who are actively engaged in creation of the e-learning materials and in supporting the realization of modern didactic processes. The certificate confirms one's high level of competence in the range of methods and techniques of distance teaching. The participation in the certification process is free of charge, the applications will be accepted till the 4th March, 2015. More information can be found at: www.sea.edu.pl/certyfikacja. The Association has been acting actively for the promotion of e-education in higher education since 2006. As a non-governmental organization, it has 150 members who, in terms of science and practice, occupy themselves with the promotion of the methods and forms of using modern technology in higher education. I would like to encourage all those who are interested to take part in the certification process.

Chief editor
Marcin Dąbrowski