NetTrapez is an educational tool for the course “Information Studies”, provided in the Danish high school. It is a tangible and interactive product designed for an explorative and collaborative approach to learning about network architecture and data distribution. The product presents a physical representation of the internet and local networks, allowing students to build their own network using building blocks, and then send “data” with real-time light feedback between “servers”. The goal of this project was to design a product that enables students to explore, construct, and play as part of the learning process. The product is designed for group work in smaller teams.

The top of NetTrapez symbolizes the internet, and the sides represent local networks, all of which can connect to the internet. The blocks symbolize various network components and are placed in the holes of the box with the purpose of building local networks that can communicate over the internet. As part of the design, we have created some tasks that can provide a framework for interaction with NetTrapez.

NetTrapez is designed with a user-centered approach, focusing on involving high school students and teachers as much as possible in the development process.