One of the best ways to improve an online tournament is encourage the participants to practice giving speeches virtually. Students should not be joining a NSDA Campus room for the first time during Round 1. Practices reveal large technology issues and begin creating a reservoir of troubleshooting knowledge.

The NSDA has created a testing platform for coaches, competitors, and judges to practice with their equipment. We highly suggest you visit this testing platform prior to round one of the tournament.

Please ensure the following when on the testing platform:

Good internet connection
Video Camera Works
Microphone Works
Chat Works

If this is your first time accessing this site, you will be asked to authorize “Chrome” the use of your camera and microphone. We strongly recommend that you check your connection works from the actual location you'll be competing. It doesn't help if it works from home but you're competing from school on Saturday & Sunday.

Most issues involving NSDA campus will be related to your internet and not hardware related. If possible, we suggest hardwiring to your router to ensure a constant connection. If hardwiring to your router is not possible, we suggest sitting as close as possible to ensure a strong WIFI connection.

If you are accessing NSDA Campus from your school network, you will need to ask your IT department to have the following domains whitelisted:

*.jitsi.net
meet.jit.si
web-cdn.jitsi.net
meet-east.speechanddebate.org
meet-west.speechanddebate.org
meet.speechanddebate.org
campus.speechanddebate.org

Additionally, the following ports will need to be opened:

· 80 TCP: HTTP

· 443 TCP: HTTPS

· 10000 UDP: Web-RTC

You will need to make sure that peer-to-peer connections are unblocked for audio/video connections to work properly.

You can also test it by going to https://campus.speechanddebate.org/ – This site has a separate Test Competition Room and Test Practice Room, both of which you will want to ensure you can access without issues.

Your IT people may ask which domains/IP addresses to use for the above ports. Because the video servers are dynamically scaled and do not have fixed hostnames or IP’s, at least the UDP port will need to be open to all IP addresses. If they require a range, they can use Amazon’s IP list and filter by the AWS regions for us-east-1, us-east-2, us-west-1, and us-west-2:

https://ip-ranges.amazonaws.com/ip-ranges.json

It is possible that Campus may eventually use other UDP ports between 10000 – 20000, so if you want to be proactive, ask your IT department to open a wider range than just 10000.

If you are able to access the Campus room but cannot see or hear other participants, it is overwhelmingly likely the issue is not having properly configured the ports and domains above. The most common issue school IT departments have is with correctly opening UDP 10000. We have zero confirmed instances of someone not being able to access NSDA Campus when the above steps are followed correctly.

1.2 Online Best Practices

Virtual tournaments are quite different from traditional, on-site tournaments. Please see below for general considerations and recommendations.

Practice and test different strategies before competing in virtual tournaments.
Consult your partner (if applicable) on preferred methods for preparation, competition, etc.
Review each tournament’s policies and procedures (e.g. evidence challenges, mandatory check-ins, automated coin flips) in advance.
Try using a variety of headsets, webcams, headphones, microphones, and mice (if possible) to determine which one is best for you.
Maintain the high standard of conduct expected at on-site tournaments, exhibiting appropriate behavior at all times.

Communication with third parties (e.g. coaches, teammates) during rounds remains strictly prohibited.

1.3 Debating Remotely

Before participating in online competition, it’s highly recommended to test various methods of communication and determine which one best suits your needs. Please see below for general considerations.

1) Team Communication – Options include Slack, Google Hangouts, and other instant messaging platforms, likely paired with a video conferencing platform, to facilitate team-wide communication for tournament preparation and online competition.

2) Partner Communication – Options include Slack, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, and other instant messaging platforms. The ideal platform facilitates real-time, written communication, as well as the ability to transfer files quickly and easily. These methods can also be supplemented by maintaining a phone connection for the entirety of each round. To limit feedback and other audio effects, the microphone should be muted except during prep time. With practice, it’s possible to unmute the microphone while the opposing team is speaking, which allows you and your partner to communicate without disrupting the round. Regardless of your chosen method, it’s imperative that electronic devices remain fully charged (or charging) at all times.

3) Advance Planning – Consider formulating detailed, written plans to guide you during tournament preparation and online competition. For partner events, clearly identify who is responsible for selecting arguments used in each round, compiling rebuttal evidence on the opposing team’s case, etc.

1.4 Exchanging Evidence (Debate Only)

Methods of evidence exchange may vary from one tournament to the next, so be sure to review procedures in advance.

1) Evidence is generally exchanged via an e-mail chain, established at the beginning of each round. The judge(s) must be included on the e-mail chain!

2) All evidence is transferred in the designated e-mail chain, upon request. Debaters should be careful to specify the exact evidence they seek.

A cut card may be sent as an attached document, or pasted into the body of an e-mail
An original source (e.g. PDF) should be sent as an attachment, with the cut card pasted into the body of an e-mail
A paraphrased source (e.g. PDF) should be sent as an attachment, with the specific section pasted into the body of an e-mail, in accordance with official regulations
A file that is too large to send via e-mail should be uploaded and shared via Google Drive
A link or hyperlink pasted into the body of an e-mail is not an accepted method

3) Each competitor or partnership should consider creating a separate e-mail account for online competition. Adding a personal e-mail address to an e-mail chain is not recommended.

2.0 Technology Basics

In order for competitors, judges, and staff to have a smooth experience with NSDA Campus, the following are required pieces of technology:

Computer (laptop or desktop) – You cannot run NSDA Campus on your smartphone or tablet.
High Speed Internet Connection - we recommend a minimum bandwidth speed of 5 MBPS

If you are unsure of your internet speed, please visit https://www.fast.com/ to run a test
Consider the recommendations below to improve connectivity and optimize performance when competing from home.

Reboot the router
Update the firmware
Use a dual-band router
Move closer to the router
Create a separate channel
Enable WME/WMM (if applicable)
Connect via ethernet instead of Wi-Fi
Minimize interference (e.g. walls, home appliances, electronic devices)

Google Chrome Internet Browser (you CAN NOT use another browser)

Available for download here: https://www.google.com/chrome/

Microphone/Speakers - The most important thing about competing with a microphone is practicing and internalizing a way of speaking that maintains a consistent connection with the microphone. Clear volume requires speaking directly into a mic. Solutions found included headsets and clip-on microphones. Headphones and a USB microphone could also work if a student practiced a comfortable speaking configuration.
Webcam – Practicing joining a Zoom meeting will reveal many existing issues with webcams. Most webcams are, for the purposes of speech and debate, interchangeable, so we recommend defaulting to what is most in-line with budget and availability.

3.0 NSDA Campus

NSDA Campus is the platform used to host this tournament.

If you read nothing else in this document and have not used NSDA Campus before, please watch this short video to familiarize yourself with the layout:

Students (hyperlink)

Judges (hyperlink)

In order to access your round, all participants (competitors, judges and staff) must be logged into their own tabroom account using google Chrome as your browser.

After logging in, click on your email address at the top of the screen:

3.1 Campus Room View

A screenshot of a cell phone

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This is what your round room will look like after you click on the blue video link. Judges who enter the round will be designated Moderator. Please familiarize yourself with the options:

Your section number will vary depending on the event you are judging and your specific ballot’s ID code.
You will see your name and (if your camera is on) your video feed. All participants will join with their cameras and microphones off.
From left to right at the bottom of the screen, you will see options to Raise/Lower your hand, open/close the chat feature, mute/unmute your microphone, turn your video feed on/off, select between gallery and speaker view, and open further options that include managing video quality, making the round full screen, and muting everyone. Only moderators will have the option to mute everyone.

This is what the Chat feature will look like when opened:

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There are also 3 tabs on the right side of the screen. Please take a look and familiarize yourself with the options:

The first tab and the default is the INFO tab. It will tell you instructions on how to access the room. In case of tech failure with your primary desktop or laptop device, you may also access the room using the Jitsi Meet app on Android/iOS. You must then still access the room through the browser on your phone to get the link that launches the app. It's not the recommended way (laptop is always better), but it does work if it's people's only option.

The second tab is the FILE SHARE tab, which may be used as an alternative to email chains. You cannot delete files once they are drag & dropped or uploaded in this window. Furthermore, we strongly suggest that you “right-click and choose to download” the files rather than “left-clicking” on the files directly.

The third tab is the TIMER feature. By default, the timer opens up with the prep time clocks as the default on screen. Please ensure that you are using the correct amount of prep time for the tournament and division you are located in.

Under the 2 boxes for prep time, there is a box to use the speech timer, and a checkbox to not display the prep clock called “Prep Timers”. Unchecking this box will result in the following view.

You can set the time using the dropdown menus for minutes and (if needed) seconds. Then you can use the blue START button to start the timer, pause the timer once started, or the red RESET button to reset the timer.

3.2 Judge View

*Competitors can skip to the next section below

Judge View:

If you are a judge with a ballot and click on your email address, you will see this screen. Please use the Blue Video Link (Circled in Blue) to access your room. Your room will open in a new browser tab.

Once you have confirmed that you have the ability to access the round and its associated features, please return to this tab and click on the START button (Purple Circle - Image Above). This will provide you access to your ballot. Press this button when all participants are present and ready to begin the debate.

When you press START, your ballot will appear on your screen. Your ballot will look like every other Tabroom.com ballot with one notable change - the blue video link to access your room (Purple Circle) will be located at the top of your ballot screen:

More importantly, we have provided you additional helpline email links for easy access to our tournament staff. Promptly submit any issues you’re having, so we can remedy them immediately.

We encourage all judges to provide written feedback in addition to post-round discussions. Keep in mind that written feedback will be visible to the coaches of the competitors and that coaches prefer enumerated feedback from judges to ensure miscommunication does not occur.

3.3 Competitor View

Competitors must log into their tabroom account once pairings are released and can access their round by first clicking on their email address at the top of the screen:

Competitors will then see 2 blue video links on their screen.

One, located in the center of the screen, will take them to their team’s squad room and is indicated by the name of their school and the text “Squad Room” immediately to the left of the blue video link. (Purple Circle - Image Below)
The other link will take them to their round and is located under the “Room” header. (Red Circle - Image Below)

Competitors will also see the start time of their round both in their local time zone (based on what time zone is listed in their Tabroom profile) and the time zone that the tournament has designated as the tournament time zone.

Competitors will also see their opponent(s) and judge(s) on this screen.

Once you click on the link to your round, you will be taken to this screen where your round will take place. Some features such as “Mute everyone” will only be available to the moderator.

Please familiarize yourself with the options:

Your section number will vary depending on the event you are competing in and the specific ballot’s ID code for your debate.
You will see your name and (if your camera is on) your video feed. All participants will join with their cameras and microphones off.
From left to right at the bottom of the screen, you will see options to raise/lower your hand, open/close the chat feature, mute/unmute your microphone, turn your video feed on/off, select between gallery and speaker view, and open further options that include managing video quality, and making the round full screen.

3.4 Coach Dashboard

Upon logging in to your tabroom.com school account you’ll need to access the tournament dashboard by clicking “Dashboard” next to the Cal Invitational.

Once you’re on the tournament dashboard, and pairings are released, you can see all of your competitors current, past, and future rounds. More importantly, you can access your “Team Room,” which is provided complimentary through NSDA Campus.

You also can access a “Coaches Lounge” room, available to ONLY coaches that have full institutional access to your account on tabroom.com. This can be a place for you to meet up with friends and colleagues to have friendly conversations. Our goal is to simulate an in person event, as much as we can, This is just one way to accomplish that goal.

4.0 Checklists

4.1 Pre-Tournament Checklist

4.1a - Digital Bus

The person in charge of a school’s entry should set a designated time prior to the first pairings release of day so they can confirm that all judges and participants are at their computer and ready to participate in each given round—analogous to “meeting on the bus” prior to departure for a physical tournament.

4.1b - Tech Time

We’ve allocated approximately 10 extra minutes per round/flight to deal with tech-related issues that may arise. If there is an issue that stops the round for longer than 10 minutes, we ask that you use the contact form located in the NSDA campus room or email your event helpline.

4.1c - Cameras On

It is required that cameras stay on for all participants and judges. First, this is a necessary safeguard against outside assistance. Second, it is an important accessibility issue. Some participants may have a difficult time understanding audio without a corresponding image. Third, leaving cameras off degrades the social and interactive elements of online debating. Only if there is a technical issue should the camera be turned off. There are times when turning your camera off will free bandwidth necessary to continue the round.

4.1d - Muting Microphones

Those who are not the active speaker should have their microphone muted.

4.2 Pre-Round Checklist

The only difference between this tournament and any other tournament you have competed in is the digital nature of the event. Treat this like your first ever debate tournament and over-prepare. We suggest the following:

4.2a - Check-in Time

When a pairing for a round is released, within the first fifteen minutes, all competitors and judges should enter the assigned room. The purpose of an early check-in is to:

Verify participants are online
Ensure video and audio works for everyone.
Set up any email chains.
Engage in argument disclosure in a timely fashion.

Participants should then mute their microphones and turn off video but stay connected in the room. They can then prepare as normal.

4.2b - Eliminate/Reduce Disturbances

Find a private/enclosed space to set up for the competition day.
Ask family members/friends on your network to limit data usage during your round (E.g. Zoom, video games, Netflix, streaming, etc)

4.2c - Prepare Backup/Contingency Plans

Make sure you familiarize yourself with how to operate recording software on your device. This handy website provides you a few options for Mac, Windows, Iphone, and Android devices.
Remember to start your recording before you begin to speak. This will ensure your speech is being recorded while you’re delivering it. The tournament standard has become to pick up with your speech where you left off. You are NOT to start from the beginning of your speech. Therefore, you should make sure you know how to record using your computer or smartphone.
Make a plan with your opponent/judge should a technology failure arise

Contact the helpline at ndca.tab@gmail.com
Turn off your video to reduce bandwidth
Leave the room and attempt re-entering
Restart your browser/computer
Restart your router
Trying using a smart phone or MiFi as a hotspot.

5.0 Technology Troubleshooting

5.1 Pre-Round Troubleshooting

If you have issues connecting before the round begins, we suggest the following steps for troubleshooting:

Close tabs that aren’t being used
Turn off/on your wifi connection
Restart Chrome
Clear your browser cache

Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Clear Browsing Data (Image Below)

Use an “Incognito Window”

Settings -> New Incognito Window (Image Below)

Restart your computer
Restart your router

Mac View for Settings:

PC View for Settings:

Privacy & Security -> Clear Browsing Data

5.2 In-Round Troubleshooting

The success of in round troubleshooting will be dependent on your pre-round planning. Use all available resources available to you and implement your “Plan B.”

Use the troubleshooting steps listed above
Record your round on your phone, computer, or another recording device
Use a MiFi or mobile hotspot
Communicate via NSDA campus “contact”
Email your event helpline

While we cannot be your solution to tech problems during the tournament, we strongly believe that preparing ahead of time and following the guides listed in this document will set you up for success.