Trainer Guide

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for easy course training

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

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

The trainers will each have their own login to DaDesktop, and can control the ‘Trainer Desktop’ as if it were their own. 

The idea is that the trainers will join the audio conference, swapping control at suitable intervals, and can take over the Trainer Desktop as needed. This is especially beneficial for longer courses, or those that benefit from the insights of two subject matter experts interacting with participants.

Before creating a new course

• The trainer(s) should contact the course organiser and provide the following details:

1. Course details (title, schedule, number of participants)
2. Location of the trainer(s) and delegates (so the most suitable data centre in India 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 reliable internet connection
2. Using Wi-Fi in a coffee shop is not recommended as it can be unstable
3. Before the training, please note that DaDesktop is a web-based training portal
4. Internet speed should be faster than: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. A dual monitor and camera setup is preferred if possible
    

First step: How to set up your course                                                                                

1. Course coordinators will assist in creating the course
2. Add the trainer(s) by sending them the registration invitation link
3. The trainer will receive an email with the course details and login link
4. The Trainer(s) can login with their account via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com 
5. Next, send course invitations to the participants (the pink link)
6. Note: Even if multiple trainers are involved, only one Trainer machine is used throughout
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" in the course                                                    

1. Click "Create from OS template" to set up the Fresh Start desktop. The Fresh Start machine is where the trainer prepares 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 setup, click the dropdown arrow and select the Standalone option.
2. Select the OS template, choose the nearest data centre, and the configuration required for the training. Click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and set up your course within the DaDesktop VM

• If you need multiple machines for your course, install Virt Manager (preferred on Linux) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop to set up several desktops simultaneously. The entire set of machines will be cloned to each participant and the Trainer machine.
• We recommend converting documents to PDF if using Windows 10 Pro, as MS Office is not included in DaDesktop
• Download and prepare content just as you would on your own desktop
• Only use automatically assigned DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT use Static IP addresses or modify MAC addresses or DNS settings for your FreshStart machines, as this will cause problems when cloned to Course Desktop VMs. Also, avoid changing the computer name, as that can lead to issues within DaDesktop.
  
  Please get in touch with Tech Support if you require any help with the above.
   

Third step: Clone desktop to all participants

1. Complete the Fresh Start desktop setup, then exit and stop the machine
2. In the Trainer section, click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" to clone an identical desktop
3. If delegates are located in other regions, use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to the appropriate 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. Both trainers and participants need to click Training Room and join the session
2. Upon joining, the system automatically clones the FreshStart desktop to all participants
3. Audio and video recordings can be made within the Training Room
4. Each delegate has access to two desktops—the Trainer’s and their own—eliminating the need for screen sharing
5. From the Training Room, the trainer can view all participant machines along with their own, and can take control of any machine individually to assist a participant. Each participant sees only their own machine and the Trainer Desktop.