Trainer Guide

Using DaDesktop Virtual Desktops for Effortless Course Training

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops offer a straightforward way to build online courses anywhere in Canada.

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

Each trainer will get their own DaDesktop login and can operate the 'Trainer Desktop' just like their personal workstation. 

The concept is that both trainers join the audio conference, handing over at sensible intervals, while each can grab control of the Trainer Desktop whenever needed. This proves particularly handy during lengthy sessions, or for courses that genuinely benefit from having two subject-matter experts guiding the participants.

Before Setting Up a New Course

• The trainer(s) ought to reach out to the course organiser to supply the following details:

1. Course information (Course title, schedule, number of participants)
2. Location for Trainer(s) and Delegates (so the best data centre can be recommended)
3. Trainer's email address(es)

• Recommended Browsers for Training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network

1. DaDesktop users must have a reliable internet connection
2. Using a coffee shop's Wi-Fi isn't advised, as it's frequently patchy
3. Just a reminder before you kick off training: DaDesktop is a web-based training portal
4. Your internet speed ought to be quicker than: "10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload"
5. A twin-screen setup and a camera are preferred if you can manage it
    

First Phase: How to Set Up Your Course                                                                                

1. Course coordinators will assist you when building a course
2. Add the trainer(s) to the course by sending out the registration invitation link
3. The trainer gets an email containing the course details and a login link
4. The trainer(s) can log in to their account through https://dd4t.dadesktop.com 
5. Following that, send the course invitations to the participants (the pink link)
6. Note: Even if multiple trainers are running the course, only one trainer machine is ever in use
    

Second Phase: Prepare Your "DaDesktop" Within the Course                                                  

1. Click "Create from OS template" to set up the Fresh Start desktop. This is the machine where the trainer builds the course content; once it's ready, it's cloned to their Trainer Desktop and to the Participants' desktops. If you've already got a 'Standalone' machine with your course on it, click the dropdown arrow and pick the Standalone option.
2. Pick the OS template, choosing the nearest data centre and the configuration you'll need for the training. Click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Connect to the desktop and get your course ready inside the DaDesktop VM

• If your course calls for several machines, install Virt Manager (this is the go-to for Linux users) or VirtualBox inside DaDesktop, and you can spin up multiple desktops within DaDesktop simultaneously.  This entire setup will be cloned to each participant and to your Trainer machine.
• We suggest converting documents to PDF if you're planning to use Windows 10 Pro, since MS Office isn't bundled inside DaDesktop
• Download and make your arrangements 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 alter MAC addresses or DNS settings for your FreshStart machines, as this will create hiccups when cloning to the Course Desktop VMs. Also, please don't rename the Computer, as that can cause trouble within DaDesktop as well.
  
  Reach out to Tech Support if you need a hand with any of this.
   

Third Phase: Clone the Desktop to All Participants

1. Wrap up your work on the "Fresh Start desktop", exit, and click to stop this desktop
2. Click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" in the Trainer area to clone a desktop that mirrors the Fresh Start machine
3. If delegates are spread across different regions, click the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone it to a delegate's region
4. The dropdown also offers other choices, including Clone from Standalone and Create from OS Template
    

Final Phase: Join the Training Room

1. The trainer(s) and participants need to click on Training Room and come together in the session
2. When you join the Training Room, the system automatically clones the FreshStart desktop to all participants
3. Inside the Training Room, automatic audio and video recordings can be created.
4. Every delegate can see two desktops (the trainer's and their own); screen sharing isn't necessary
5. Within the Training Room, the trainer can see all the participants' machines alongside their own, and can take control of any specific machine to assist a participant when needed. Each participant can only see their own machine and the trainer's desktop.