Trainer's Guide

How to Use DaDesktop Virtual Desktops to Streamline Your Course Training

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops offer a straightforward method for building online courses from any corner of the world.

Please note: DaDesktop (DD) now supports having one or more trainers per course.

Each trainer will have their own DaDesktop login, and can operate the ‘Trainer Desktop’ just like a personal machine.

The concept is for both trainers to participate in the audio conference, handing over control at suitable intervals, while each can take charge of the Trainer Desktop when needed. This setup is particularly valuable for extended courses, or sessions that benefit from having two subject-matter experts guide the participants.

Before creating a new course

• The Trainer(s) should contact course organizer to provide the following information:

1. Course specifics (title, schedule, and participant count)
2. Location of the Trainer(s) and Delegates (so the best datacentre can be safdvised)
3. Trainer's email address(es)

• Recommended browsers for training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network

1. DaDesktop users need a reliable internet connection
2. Using coffee shop Wi-Fi is not advised, as it tends to be unreliable
3. Please keep in mind before training that DaDesktop is a web-based training portal
4. The required internet speed is faster than: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. A dual monitor and camera setup is ideal if possible
    

First step: How to set up your course                                                            

1. Course coordinators will assist in setting up the course
2. Invite Trainers by sending them the registration link
3. Each trainer will get an email with the course details and a login link
4. Trainers can log in using their accounts at https://dd4t.dadesktop.com
5. Then, send out the pink invitation links to participants
6. Note: If more than one trainer is running the course, there is always just one Trainer machine in use
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" in the course                                                      

1. Select "Create from OS template" for the Fresh Start desktop. This Fresh Start machine is where the Trainer builds the course content; once ready, they clone it to their Trainer Desktop and to the Participants desktops. If you already have a 'Standalone' machine with your course materials, click the dropdown arrow and pick the Standalone option from there.
2. Pick the OS template, choose the nearest datacentre, and set up the required configuration for your training. Then click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and get your course ready inside the DaDesktop VM

• If you need multiple machines for your course, install Virt Manager (preferred for Linux users) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop, allowing you to set up multiple desktops simultaneously. All machines will then be cloned to each participant and to your Trainer machine.
• We recommend converting documents to PDF if you plan to use Windows 10 Pro, since MS Office is not included in DaDesktop
• Download and prepare everything just as you would on your own computer
• Always use the automatically provided DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT use Static IP addresses or alter MAC addresses or DNS settings for your FreshStart machines, as this will lead to issues when they are cloned to Course Desktop VMs. Similarly, avoid changing the Computer name, which can also cause problems within DaDesktop.
  
  Please contact Tech Support if you need any assistance with these steps.
   

Third step: Clone desktop to all participants

1. Complete the setup on the 'Fresh Start desktop', then log out and stop the desktop
2. In the Trainer section, click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" to duplicate a desktop identical to the Fresh Start machine
3. If participants are located in different regions, use the dropdown on Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop to clone to each participant's region
4. Other options in the dropdown include Clone from Standalone and Create from OS Template
    

Final step: Join the Training Room

1. Both trainers and participants should click Training Room to join the session
2. When entering the Training Room, the system automatically clones the FreshStart desktop to all participants
3. Within the Training Room, both audio and video can be auto-recorded
4. Each participant can view two desktops — the Trainer's desktop and their own — eliminating the need for screen sharing
5. In the Training Room, the Trainer can monitor all participants' machines alongside their own, and can individually take control of any machine to assist a participant when necessary. Participants only see their own machine and the Trainer's Desktop.