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Student Guide

Welcome to the Techlogia Lab. Here you learn how real servers work -- right in your browser, with nothing to install. This guide explains everything you need to know.

What you need

  • A modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge).
  • The class code and your student name from your teacher.
  • Alternatively: your own email address, if you are learning without a class.

Signing in with a class code

If your teacher added you to a class, you need neither an email address nor a password.

  1. Open techlogia.de/lab/auth/schueler-login in your browser.
  2. Enter the class code you received from your teacher (e.g. KLAS-P45R8KM).
  3. Enter your student name -- exactly as your teacher entered it (e.g. Max M.).
  4. Click Sign in.

Type it exactly

Your name has to match exactly what your teacher entered. Capitalisation counts, and so do periods and spaces. Max M. is not the same as Max M or max m..

On your first sign-in you are asked to read and accept the terms of service. After that you are in.

Without a class: create your own account

If you are learning on your own (without a school class):

  1. Go to techlogia.de/lab/auth/register.
  2. Enter your email address, a password (at least 8 characters) and your display name.
  3. Enter your year of birth.
  4. You receive a confirmation email -- click the link inside it.
  5. Sign in at techlogia.de/lab/auth/login.

Under 16?

If you are not yet 16, you also have to provide the email address of a parent or guardian. That person receives a confirmation link. Only after their approval can you start sessions.

Starting a module

After signing in you see the catalog -- an overview of all available modules as cards.

  1. Pick a module that interests you (e.g. "First steps in the console").
  2. Click the card to open the lesson.
  3. Click Start session.

Here is what happens next:

  • The system checks whether you may still start sessions today (default: 3 per day).
  • A real Linux VM (virtual computer) is started for you. This takes about 60--90 seconds.
  • A countdown starts in the top right -- you have 60 minutes.

Be patient while it starts

While the VM is being prepared you can already read the instructions on the left. As soon as the terminal appears on the right, you are good to go.

Understanding the learning environment

Your screen is divided into three areas:

Area Position What you find there
Instructions Left The lesson with explanations and step-by-step guidance
Terminal Right A real Linux terminal -- this is where you type commands
Tasks Bottom List of all tasks with their status (open, passed, failed)

Using the terminal

The terminal is a real Linux system in the cloud -- not a simulator. You can do anything in it that is possible on a real Linux server.

The most important basics

What you want to do Command Example
Show directory contents ls ls /etc/nginx/
Change into a directory cd cd /var/www/html
Display a file cat cat /etc/hostname
Edit a file nano nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default
Install a package sudo apt-get install sudo apt-get install -y nginx
Check a service status sudo systemctl status sudo systemctl status nginx
Restart a service sudo systemctl restart sudo systemctl restart nginx

Copy and paste

  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + C to copy, Ctrl + Shift + V to paste.
  • Mac: Cmd + C and Cmd + V work as usual.

Terminal not responding?

Sometimes it looks as if the terminal has stopped reacting. Try this:

  1. Click into the terminal (it needs the focus).
  2. Press Ctrl + C (cancels the running command).
  3. Press Ctrl + L (clears the screen).
  4. If nothing helps: reload the page -- your session keeps running.

Solving and checking tasks

Every lesson contains several tasks. Your goal: pass all of them.

  1. Read the task description below the task list.
  2. Work in the terminal until you think you have solved the task.
  3. Click Check next to the task.

The system automatically inspects your VM to see whether everything is correct:

  • Green = passed -- move on to the next task.
  • Red = failed -- you get a message about what is still missing. Fix it in the terminal and check again.

Don't give up

You can check every task as often as you like. There is no penalty for failed attempts. Use the feedback from the check to understand what is still missing.

Using hints

If you get stuck, you can reveal hints:

  • Hint 1: A small nudge -- which direction to look in.
  • Hint 2: More concrete -- often with an example command.
  • Hint 3: Almost the solution -- a step-by-step walkthrough.

There is no downside to using hints. They are a learning aid.

Ending a session

Your session ends in one of three ways:

  1. You click "End session" at the top, in the countdown area.
  2. The 60 minutes run out -- you get a warning two minutes beforehand.
  3. You close the browser -- the session keeps running in the background until the 60-minute limit. You can continue it at your next sign-in.

VM contents are gone, progress stays

Everything you did on the VM (files, installed programs) is deleted when the session ends. But your task progress (which tasks you passed) is stored permanently. Tomorrow you can pick up exactly where you left off.

Homework

If your teacher assigned you homework, you see it in two places:

  • In the catalog as a blue banner at the very top: "Homework: ... due by ..."
  • In your account area under "Homework" as a list with deadline and status.

A homework assignment is a complete lesson. It counts as done once you have passed every task in it.

What to do if something goes wrong

"My class code does not work"

  • Check for typos: 0 (zero) and O (letter) look similar, and so do 1 and l.
  • Ask your teacher for the exact code -- they can look it up on the class detail page at any time.

"My name is not recognised"

  • The name has to match exactly -- including capitalisation, periods and spaces.
  • Ask your teacher how exactly your name was entered.

"I forgot my password" (own account)

"The VM does not start"

  • Wait 60--90 seconds. If nothing happens after 3 minutes, reload the page.
  • If the problem repeats: write to info@techlogia.de or use the feedback button in the Lab.

"I have no sessions left"

  • The default limit is 3 sessions per day (reset at midnight).
  • Tomorrow you have 3 sessions again.
  • Talk to your teacher -- they can raise the limit for the class.

"My progress is gone"

  • Check that you are signed in with the right account (name in the top right of the Lab).
  • With a class-code login: did you enter the code and the name correctly? A different name leads to a different account.

"The check says 'failed', but I am sure it is right"

  • Read the feedback closely -- often only one detail is missing (e.g. a service was not restarted).
  • If you are certain the check is wrong: use the feedback button in the top right of the Lab. The team will look into it.

Tips for learning successfully

  1. Read the instructions carefully before you start. The solution is often already in the text.
  2. Try things out -- you cannot break anything. The VM is deleted after the session anyway.
  3. Use the hints when you are stuck. They are not a sign of weakness but a normal part of learning.
  4. Check often -- that way you find out early whether you are on the right track.
  5. Read the error messages -- they almost always tell you what is still missing.

Further pages