3 part question… desktops

I have a friend who is a network admin for an elementary school. He said he has set up the network so that every student has the same desktop and icons on the desktop. First, what is it he is doing? I never heard of it.

Secondly, he says that one icon that he places on the server for the “universal” desktop is not able to be seen on the students desktop, does anyone know why it might not be able to be viewed?

Third, if you not, can anyone point me in the direction of information about the correct setup of this “universal” desktop?