Trainer's Handbook

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for Seamless Course Delivery

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops make it effortless to create online courses anywhere in Germany.

Note: DaDesktop (DD) now supports one or more trainers per course.

Each trainer will have their own login credentials, allowing full control of the 'Trainer Desktop' as if it were their personal machine.

The concept is that both trainers will participate in the audio conference, alternating as needed, but can seize control of the Trainer Desktop when necessary. This approach is particularly beneficial for extended courses or those that thrive with insights from two subject matter experts engaging with participants.

Prior to course creation

• The trainer(s) should reach out to the course organizer to supply the following details:

1. Course specifics (title, schedule, participant count)
2. Locations of trainer(s) and delegates (to recommend the optimal data centre in Germany)
3. Trainer email address(es)

• Recommended browsers for training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network considerations

1. DaDesktop users need a stable, high-speed internet connection
2. Using coffee shop Wi-Fi is discouraged because it often proves unreliable
3. Before training, remember that DaDesktop is a web-based training platform
4. Internet speed should be faster than: 10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload
5. If possible, using dual monitors and a camera is preferred
    

First step: Configuring your course                                                                      

1. Course coordinators will assist in setting up the course
2. Add trainer(s) to the course by sending the registration invitation link
3. Trainers receive an email containing course details and a login link
4. Trainer(s) can log in via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com
5. Then, send course invitations to participants (highlighted in pink)
6. Note: Even if multiple trainers are leading the course, only one Trainer machine is used at a time
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" within the course                                                

1. Click "Create from OS template" for the Fresh Start desktop. The Fresh Start is the environment where the trainer builds the course content; once ready, it is cloned to the Trainer Desktop and to the Participants' desktops. If you already have a 'Standalone' machine with your course content, click the dropdown arrow and select the Standalone option.
2. Choose the OS template, select the nearest data centre, and specify the configuration required for training. Then click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and prepare your course within the DaDesktop virtual machine.

• Should your course require multiple machines, install Virt Manager (recommended for Linux) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop. You can then configure several desktops simultaneously within DaDesktop. This entire machine will be cloned to each participant and to your Trainer machine.
• We advise converting documents to PDF format if using Windows 10 Pro, as MS Office is not included in DaDesktop.
• Download and prepare materials just as you would on your own desktop.
• Please use only the automatically assigned DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT assign static IP addresses, or alter MAC addresses or DNS settings for your FreshStart machines, as this will cause issues when cloning to course desktop VMs. Also, refrain from changing the computer name, as it may lead to complications within DaDesktop.
  
  If you need assistance with any of the above, contact Tech Support.
   

Third step: Clone the desktop to all participants

1. Once the "Fresh Start desktop" is fully prepared, exit and stop the desktop.
2. In the Trainer section, click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" to clone a desktop identical to the fresh start environment.
3. If delegates are located in other regions, use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to their region.
4. Additional options are available from the dropdown, including cloning from Standalone and creating from an OS template.
    

Final step: Enter the Training Room

1. Both the trainer(s) and participants must click Training Room to join the session together.
2. Upon entering the Training Room, the system automatically clones the FreshStart desktop to every participant.
3. Within the Training Room, audio and video can be recorded automatically.
4. Each delegate can view two desktops (the Trainer's desktop and their own); screen sharing is unnecessary.
5. Within the Training Room, the trainer can see all participants' machines alongside their own, and can take control of any individual machine to assist a participant as needed. Each participant sees only their own machine and the Trainer's Desktop.