TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (All Times Central)

Friday March 5, 2021

6:00pm: Registration
6:30pm: Briefings
7:15pm: Round 1

Saturday March 6, 2021

9:30am: Sign-in
10:00am: Round 2 Motion
Noon: Round 3 Motion
2:00pm: Lunch Break
3:00pm: Round 4 Motion
5:00pm: Round 5 Motion

Sunday January 31, 2021

9:30am: Sign-in
10am: Open Quarters or Semis, Novice Semis or Finals
Noon: Lunch Break
12:45: Awards
1:00pm: Open Semis or Finals, Novice Finals (if necessary)
3:00pm: Open Finals (if necessary)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: How will this tournament work? Do I need Zoom? Discord? Google Chrome?

This tournament will be taking place using the ForensicsTournament (FTN) platform. This means that postings will be posted on FTN and sent to your phones OR emails!  Make sure that your participants have their phones/emails verified, as the only way to receive the 8x8 room URLs is via text/email.

You do not need Zoom, nor Discord, but I personally recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser. I cannot confirm nor/deny if 8x8 works on tablets/phones (I haven’t tested it out in a debate environment). You do not need to install anything; all you need is a web browser.

Q2: What is 8x8 like?

I would say that using 8x8 is very similar to using Zoom. You have the option of muting/unmuting your camera and microphone, screensharing, a chat function, and the ability to “raise your hand.” Unique to 8x8 is the ability to “change your bandwidth” and adjust your settings to improve your audio and visual settings. To access this, go into an 8x8 room, click the ellipses (“…”) in the lower right-hand side of the screen, then click “Manage Video Quality.” You will then be presented with a window that allows you to select between High Definition, Standard Definition, Low Definition, and Low Bandwidth. I personally recommend that all participants select the “Low Definition” option. You will not be able to see other users’ cameras if you select the “Low Bandwidth” setting.

Q3: Where will the GA be? Can I test out my camera and mic before the tournament starts?

To access the GA, simply go to the following (URL COMING SOON)

I highly recommend that you bookmark that URL above so that you don’t lose it. 

Q4: How will ballots work?

Just like postings, ALL judges will receive a ballot via email/text that contains a URL to the debate they are being asked to judge. Make sure that your judges have their phones/emails verified, as the way to receive the room URLs is via text/email.

Q5: Where can judges privately adjudicate and discuss the round after it has finished?

On each of your ballots (that were sent to your emails), there is a button (close to the top of the page in the center) that says ADJUDICATION ROOM. When you click that button, you will be shown a second URL that is for you and your fellow judges. No one else in the round has access to it; only the chair and the panelists of that round have access to that specific adjudication room. If you want to see what a sample ballot looks like, simply visit this URL: https://forensicstournament.net/eballot/5b0ba595-0267-413c-add2-298af3050a74

Q6: What will check-in look like?

Go to the GA on Saturday morning. Once all members of an institution are present, you will be asked to tell me in the GA that you’re ready to check in.

Q7: What is the technology policy for this tournament? Like, what if I have Internet issues? POIs?

We’ll cover this during the briefing. We promise.

Q8: Where can we go for assistance during the tournament?

For assistance during the tournament, message us in the GA chat.

Q9: Are observers allowed? How about recording?

Observers are allowed if all participants in a round (including judges!) consent to having an observer present. The same can be said about recording a round. Please obtain consent from all participants before recording.

If you’re looking to observe a teammate, or one of your students, simply ask them for the room URL that is on their posting and that link will take you to the room.

Q10: What kind of coffee do you like the most?

I am an equal opportunity coffee drinker.

Q11: What if I have a question between now and Saturday morning that isn’t already answered/asked on this list of questions?

Post it in the comments below. I will answer it and then add it (and its answer) to this post.