Trainer's Guide

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for smooth course delivery

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops make it simple to build online courses no matter where you're based in Greece.

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

Each trainer will have their own login to DaDesktop, and can command the ‘Trainer Desktop’ just as they would a personal machine. 

The concept is that both trainers join the same audio conference, taking turns as needed, while each can grab control of the Trainer Desktop on demand. This proves especially valuable for extended workshops or those that benefit from having two domain experts interact with the participants.

Before creating a new course

• The Trainer(s) should contact the course organizer to share the following details:

1. Course specifics (title, schedule, number of attendees)
2. Where the Trainer(s) and Delegates are located (so the best datacentre in Greece can be recommended)
3. Trainer's email address(es)

• Suggested browsers for training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network

1. DaDesktop users need a reliable internet connection
2. Using Wi-Fi in a coffee shop is not a good idea because of frequent instability
3. Before the training begins, keep in mind that DaDesktop is a web-based training platform
4. Your internet speed should be above: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. If possible, using a twin screen and a camera is highly recommended
    

First step: How to set up your course                                                                                

1. Course coordinators will assist when building a course
2. Add Trainer(s) to the course by sending out 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 with their account via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com 
5. Next, send the course invitations to participants (the pink one)
6. Note: Even when more than one Trainer is involved, there is still only one Trainer machine in use
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" environment in the course                                                    

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

• If your course requires multiple machines, you can install Virt Manager (preferred when using Linux) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop, and then run several desktops simultaneously. The entire setup will be cloned to each participant and to your Trainer machine.
• If you plan to use Windows 10 Pro, we suggest converting documents to PDF, as MS Office is not included within DaDesktop.
• Download whatever you need and prepare things just as you would on your own computer.
• Please rely only on automatically assigned DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT use Static IP addresses or change MAC addresses or DNS settings on your FreshStart machines, because these changes will lead to problems when cloned to Course Desktop VMs. Also avoid renaming the Computer, which can cause issues inside DaDesktop.
  
  Reach out to Tech Support if you need assistance with any of the above.
   

Third step: Clone the desktop to all participants

1. Finish preparing the "Fresh Start desktop", then exit and stop the machine.
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 located in other regions, use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to the delegate's region.
4. Additional choices are available in the dropdown, such as 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 enter together.
2. When you join the Training Room, the system will automatically clone the FreshStart desktop to all participants.
3. Inside the Training Room, audio and video recordings can be made automatically.
4. Each delegate sees two desktops (the Trainer's desktop and their own); there is no need for screen sharing.
5. While in the Training Room, the Trainer can view all the Participants' machines alongside their own, and can take control of any individual machine to help a participant. Each participant sees only their own machine and the Trainer's Desktop.