Tutorial - Observe, Message and Chat with Apple Remote Desktop

Have you ever asked your students to do a web-based activity in the classroom only to discover later that they were hopelessly lost surfing the web? What if there was a way to quickly glance at all the students computers to see what they were up to? And better yet, what if there was a way to discreetly send students a message to help them get back on track? With Apple Remote Desktop, there is!

What is Apple Remote Desktop?
Apple Remote Desktop is a software that allows instructors to remotely view, communicate and control classroom computers. It's installed on the Instructor machine in Jones 10, 15 and 30.



How can I use Apple Remote Desktop to observe students?
Observe a single student

1. Open Apple Remote Desktop
2. Click "All computers"
3. Select a computer
4. Click "Observe"

Observe multiple students

1. Open Apple Remote Desktop
2. Click on "Status" to sort Available computers from Unavailable computers
3. Select all Available computers (Use shift to select more than one at a time)
4. Click "Observe"
5. Select computers from thumbnails
6. Click "Observe" arrow icon.

How can I use Apple Remote Desktop to send students a message?
With Remote Desktop, you can send one-way messages to one or many students at a time.

1. Select computers
2. Click "Send Message"
3. Type in your message.
4. Click "Send."
5. Your message will appear on the students' computer screens.

How can I use Apple Remote Desktop to send and receive messages from students?
You can also have a two-way chat message with one student (you can not chat with multiple students)

1. Select computer
2. Click "Chat"
3. Type your message and click "Send Message"
4. Wait for reply

Have you ever used Apple Remote Desktop in your classes? Share your experiences in the comments section!

What other tutorials would you like to see on Elsie Speaks? Leave us a comment, or let Alyssa Ruesch, Classroom Support Coordinator, know what questions you have about using technology in your second language class.