Trainer Guide

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for easy course training

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops provide an easy way to create online courses anywhere in New Zealand.

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

Each trainer will have their own login and can take control of the ‘Trainer Desktop’ just like their own machine. 

The concept is that both trainers are on the audio conference, taking turns as needed, while also being able to grab control of the Trainer Desktop whenever necessary. This setup is particularly handy for longer courses, or any course where having two experts share insights with participants adds real value.

Before creating a new course

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

1. Course detail (Course title, Course schedule, number of participants)
2. Location for Trainer(s) and Delegates (so the best 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 at a coffee shop is not recommended, because it tends to be unstable
3. Before training, just a reminder: DaDesktop is a web-based training portal
4. Internet speed should be faster than: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. A dual-screen setup and a camera are preferred if at all possible
    

First step: How to set up your course                                                                                

1. Course coordinators will help set up your course
2. Add the Trainer(s) to the course by sending them the registration invitation link
3. The Trainer will receive an email containing the course details and login link
4. The Trainer(s) can log in with their account via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com 
5. Next, send course invitations to the participants (the pink one)
6. Note: If there’s more than one Trainer on the course, there’s still only one Trainer machine in use
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" in the course                                                      

1. Click "Create from OS template" for the Fresh Start desktop. This Fresh Start machine is where the Trainer builds the course content; once it’s ready, you clone it to both your Trainer Desktop and the Participants’ desktops. If you already have a 'Standalone' machine with your course material, just click the dropdown arrow and pick the Standalone from the list.
2. Choose the OS template, pick the nearest datacentre, and select the configuration you need for the course. Then click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and prepare your course inside the DaDesktop VM

• If you need multiple machines for your course, install Virt Manager (the preferred option for Linux) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop, and you can set up several desktops within DaDesktop simultaneously. Everything on that machine will be cloned to each participant and your Trainer machine.
• We recommend converting documents to PDF if you’re using Windows 10 Pro, since MS Office isn't included in DaDesktop
• Download and set things up just as you would on your own desktop 
• Only use the automatically assigned DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT use Static IP addresses or change MAC addresses or DNS settings on these machines—doing so will cause trouble when they’re cloned to Course Desktop VMs. Similarly, avoid changing the computer name, as this can lead to issues within DaDesktop.
  
  If you need a hand with any of this, please reach out to Tech Support.
   

Third step: Clone desktop to all participants

1. Once you’ve finished preparing 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 in other regions, use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to a delegate's region
4. The dropdown also has other options like Clone from Standalone and Create from OS Template
    

Final step: Join the Training Room

1. Both the Trainer(s) and participants need to click Training Room and join together
2. When they join the Training Room, the system automatically clones the FreshStart desktop to all participants
3. You can make automatic audio and video recordings inside the Training Room.
4. Each delegate can see two desktops—the Trainer’s desktop and their own—so there’s no need for screen sharing
5. Within the Training Room, the Trainer can see all the Participants' machines alongside their own and can jump in and take control of any machine if a participant needs a hand. Participants, on the other hand, can see their own machine and only the Trainer’s Desktop.