This week, I am teaching an API programming class from Cambridge, MA to students in Bangalore, India and Atlanta, GA. When teaching an API class, I always find that it's much much easier to set the computers up ahead of time and let the students just dive in. The alternative is that students spend an entire day on install that may or may not work. The students being remote and having a small language barrier, this makes it all the more difficult to solve install and configuration issues.
Technology to the rescue!
I solved the install problem by using virtual Windows XP machines using VM Ware. I just created the VM one time and copied it to each computer, so each student starts out with a fresh install of Windows and our software. I have six computers sitting in a U shape around me, so I can view the screen of each one. I am controlling the class from a WebEx session using teh "Hands-on Lab" feature. I can present my documents, share applications, and when I want the students to work on the machines, I assign each one to his own computer. It seems to be a very effective way of solving the "distance-access" issue. I intend to do this more often.
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