On the Analysis of Mathematical Practices in Signal Theory Courses

The contribution aims at subject-specific analyses of student solutions of an exercise from an electrical engineering signal theory course. The basis for the analyses is provided by praxeological studies (in the sense of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics) and the identification of two institutional mathematical discourses, one related to higher mathematics for engineers and one related to electrical engineering. Regarding the relationship between institutional observations and analyses of students’ solutions, we refer, among others, to Weber’s (1904) concept of ideal types. In the subject-specific analyses of student solutions we address in particular transitions and interrelations within single processing steps that refer to the two mathematical discourses and different forms of embedding of mathematics into the electrical engineering context. Finally, we present a few ideas for teaching.