Forms of productive complexity as criteria for educational reconstruction: the design of a teaching proposal on thermodynamics

The paper discusses teaching materials on thermodynamics, designed and implemented in 5 classes of scientifically-oriented secondary schools in Italy (grade 12). The materials are designed to: i) foster conceptual understanding; ii) create a learning environment rich enough to enable each student to find a personal way for appropriating content knowledge. In order to achieve the first aim, the design takes into account the main results of literature about students’ difficulties in thermodynamics. In order to achieve the second aim, forms of “productive complexities” are implemented. The paper presents the design criteria and shows why they have the potential to create an inclusive and creative learning environment.