Trainer Guide

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for seamless course training

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops offer a straightforward way to deliver online courses anywhere in the world.

Please note: DaDesktop (DD) now supports having one or more trainers for its courses.

Each trainer will have their own login to DaDesktop and can operate the 'Trainer Desktop' as if it were their personal machine.

The concept is that both trainers participate on the audio conference, handing over at suitable intervals, whilst taking control of the Trainer Desktop when needed. This proves particularly beneficial for longer sessions, or courses that simply run more smoothly with input from two subject matter experts for the delegates.

Before creating a new course

• The Trainer(s) should get in touch with the course organiser to supply the following details:

1. Course information (Course title, Course timetable, Number of participants)
2. Location of the Trainer(s) and Delegates (so the optimum datacentre can be advised)
3. Trainer's email address(es)

• Recommended browsers for training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network

1. DaDesktop users need a solid internet connection
2. Using Wi-Fi in a coffee shop is not recommended due to its typical instability
3. Before the training, please be reminded that DaDesktop is a web-based training portal
4. Internet speed should be faster than: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. A twin screen and camera setup is preferred if at all possible
   

First step: How to set up your course

1. Course coordinators will assist when creating a course
2. Add the Trainer(s) to the course by sending the registration invitation link
3. The Trainer receives an email containing the course details and a login link
4. The Trainer(s) can log in to their account via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com
5. Next, send the course invitations to the participants (the pink one)
6. Note: Even if more than one Trainer is delivering the course, only one Trainer machine is ever used
   

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" within the course

1. Click "Create from OS template" for the Fresh Start desktop. The Fresh Start is the machine on which the Trainer builds the course content. Once complete, this is cloned to their Trainer Desktop and to the Participants desktops. If you already have a 'Standalone' machine with your course on it, please click the dropdown arrow and select the Standalone from the list.
2. Select the OS template, choosing the nearest datacentre and the configuration you need for your training session. Click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and prepare your course inside the DaDesktop VM

• If you need multiple machines for your course, please install Virt Manager (this is preferred for Linux users) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop, and you can configure several desktops within DaDesktop simultaneously. This entire set of machines will be cloned to each participant and to your Trainer machine.
• We recommend converting documents to PDF if you plan to use Windows 10 Pro, as MS Office is not included inside DaDesktop
• Download and make preparations just as you would on your own desktop
• Please only utilise the automatically supplied 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 cause issues when cloned to Course Desktop VMs. Also, please do not change the Computer name, as this can lead to problems within DaDesktop.
  
  Please contact Tech Support if you require any assistance with the above.
  

Third step: Clone the desktop to all participants

1. Finish your preparations on the "Fresh Start desktop", exit, and click to stop this desktop
2. Click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" in the Trainer section to clone a desktop identical to the fresh start machine
3. If delegates are situated in other regions, please use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to a delegate's region
4. Other options are also available from the dropdown, including Clone from Standalone and Create from OS Template
   

Final step: Join the Training Room

1. The Trainer(s) and participants need to click Training Room and join together
2. Upon joining the Training Room, the system will automatically clone the FreshStart desktop to all participants
3. Inside the Training Room, automatic audio and video recordings can be created.
4. Each delegate can view two desktops (the Trainer's desktop and their own); there's no need for screen sharing
5. Using the Training Room, the Trainer has visibility of all the Participants' machines alongside their own, and can take control of any machine individually to assist a participant if necessary. Each participant can see their own machine and only the Trainer's Desktop.