Modern concepts of education are increasingly focused on e-learning and distance learning. Expectations from them are at least the same efficiency, but also results higher than those obtained by the traditional education system. In distance learning systems the modules of assistants (tutors, helpers) are very important. They provide immediate feedback both to the student and the distance learning system. Tracking and recognizing emotions in distance learning systems is of great importance, especially in the adaptive capacity of automated education systems towards the student, but also in a corrective role in the distance learning process itself. Here we present a model for evaluating students based on automatic recognition of emotions during task solving.

Student heterogeneity in (foreign language) instruction is a problem and a major professional challenge in both theory and practice. This problem/ challenge will be discussed in the contribution as a paradox of pedagogical and didactic work from its beginnings onwards. This is followed by a reflection on the institutional and structural frameworks for differentiation as a conceptual option for appropriate treatment of student heterogeneity. The empirical part, stimulated by the students’ statements during a didactics seminar, presents the results of a qualitative analysis of statements by foreign language teachers about differentiation, possibilities of differentiation, dilemmas, and pitfalls. Finally, suggestions are presented through which differentiation could find its way from theory to practice.