Trainer's Handbook

Making use of DaDesktop Virtual Desktops to simplify course delivery

DaDesktop Virtual Desktops offer a straightforward method to set up online courses no matter where you are in China.

Kindly be aware: DaDesktop (DD) now permits multiple trainers to be assigned to a single course.

Every trainer will be given their own credentials, with full control over the ‘Trainer Desktop’ as if it were their very own device. 

The plan is for both trainers to be on the audio conference, alternating as needed, while each can take charge of the Trainer Desktop at any time. This is particularly valuable for extended courses, or those that benefit from having two subject matter experts engaging with participants.

Before creating a new course

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

1. Course details, including the title, schedule, and number of participants
2. The physical location of trainers and delegates so the optimal data centre can be recommended
3. Email addresses for all trainers

• Recommended browsers for training

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge

• Network

1. All DaDesktop users need a reliable internet connection
2. Using coffee shop Wi-Fi is discouraged due to its typical instability
3. As a reminder before training, DaDesktop is a web-based platform
4. Internet speeds must exceed 10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload
5. A dual-screen setup and camera are recommended if feasible
    

First step: How to set up your course                                                                                

1. Coordinators will assist with course creation
2. Add trainers by sending them the registration invitation link
3. Each trainer receives an email containing the course details and login link
4. Trainers can log in via https://dd4t.dadesktop.com
5. After that, send out the course invitations to participants (the pink one)
6. Important: Even with multiple trainers, only one trainer machine is shared during the course
    

Second step: Prepare your "DaDesktop" in the course                                                    

1. Select "Create from OS template" to set up the Fresh Start desktop. This is where the trainer builds the course content, and once ready, clones it to both the Trainer Desktop and all Participants desktops. If a 'Standalone' machine already exists with your course materials, use the dropdown arrow to pick that Standalone.
2. Choose the appropriate OS template, the nearest data centre, and the configuration suited to your training. Then click 'Create Desktop'.
3. Access the desktop and get your course ready within the DaDesktop VM

• Should you need multiple machines for your course, we recommend installing Virt Manager (preferred for Linux) or VirtualBox within DaDesktop; you can then create several desktops simultaneously. All of these machines will be cloned to each participant and to your trainer machine.
• We suggest converting documents to PDF if using Windows 10 Pro, as MS Office is not included in DaDesktop
• Proceed to download and prepare everything just as you would on your own computer
• Stick to the automatically assigned DHCP IP addresses for Fresh-Start machines. DO NOT use Static IP addresses or modify MAC addresses or DNS settings, as cloning to course desktop VMs will then fail. Also avoid renaming the Computer, as that can cause issues within DaDesktop.
  
  Reach out to Tech Support if you need assistance with these steps.
   

Third step: Clone desktop to all participants

1. Complete the setup of the "Fresh Start desktop," then exit and stop the machine
2. In the Trainer section, click "Create from Fresh Start desktop" to duplicate a desktop identical to the fresh start machine
3. If delegates are located in different regions, use the dropdown on "Create from Fresh-Start Trainer desktop" to clone to each delegate's region
4. Additional options in the dropdown include Clone from Standalone and Create from OS Template
    

Final step: Join the Training Room

1. Both trainers and participants click on Training Room to join the session
2. Upon entering the Training Room, the system will automatically clone the FreshStart desktop to every participant
3. Audio and video auto-recording is available within the Training Room.
4. Delegates will see two desktops (the Trainer’s and their own) so screen sharing is unnecessary
5. In the Training Room, the trainer can view all participant machines alongside their own and can take control of any individual machine to offer help if needed. Participants see only their own machine and the Trainer’s desktop.