Best Practices for Online Debating

BEST PRACTICES FOR ONLINE DEBATING

PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT

Logistics of the tournament

1.       **Set up a tabroom.com account or an account with whatever software the tournament uses. Familiarize yourself with the program.

2.       **Be sure you know how to access the tournament online video conferencing if it is Zoom, NSDA Campus, Classroom.cloud or whatever they are using.

3.     **Check the time-zone. If you are not in the same time zone as the tournament host be sure you adjust any times to be consistent with the time zone of the host.

Communication

1.       **Have a way to contact your coach and they should have a way to contact you. This could be cell phones or another app like Remind. What about pre-round coaching? How will that be done?

2.       **Have a way to contact your partner. Exchange cell phone numbers or use another messaging program.

3.       **Have a method for your partner to communicate with you or share evidence. Unlike a normal debate round in which your partner might be able to run up to you with more evidence or prompt you by yelling or running up to you with their flow. What if you have extra time left in your 1NC, etc?

4.       **How will your team operate? Will everyone on your team report to a squad room? Will your coach conference call you and your partner or set up another meeting location?

Equipment

1.       **Check your equipment. Test your speaker and microphone ahead of time. Sometimes built-ins are fine. But headsets may prove very helpful, especially if your computer fan is loud, there is often background noise at your house, or you get a lot of feedback from your microphone.

2.       **Check your wifi connection. Turn off unnecessary devices. Hardwire, with an ethernet cable, to your router if you can.

3.       **If you can have an additional device or monitor that would be very helpful. If not, practice at becoming proficient at flipping back and forth between screens.

Location

1.       **Set up your location where you will be during the tournament. Try to make it in a separate room, away from other household and family noise. Near your router is always a good place. Also check the lighting, make sure you are visible and not just a dark shadow.

2.       **Articulate your schedule to your family, so that they understand you aren't available for chores, normal dinner time, etc.

3.       **Prepare a lunch/dinner ahead of time so you have it readily available during your meal breaks.

Online resources to check out

1.       Carly Watson, Michigan State University “Online debating” part 1 and 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMR4HYC2Db4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfqPi20oyuI

2.       Joshua Gonzalez, Westminster HS, “Using Technology to Your Advantage” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koCar2mjDvY

3.       Michigan Debate “Pro tips for online debating” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSiftlfrOA

DURING THE TOURNAMENT

1.       **BE ON TIME--Always be aware of times and when you have need to be online.

2.       **Check your tech before each round to help eliminate issues

3.       **Stay muted except when you are speaking.

4.       **Keep your video on (if bandwidth allows). It really helps ethos with the judge.

5.       **Have emergency numbers available for people to call if you have tech problems. Your partner, your coach, tournament personnel are good contacts to have available.

6.       **Stay organized. Seems simple, but there is a lot going on. You will likely have your debate files open, your speech doc open, your opponent’s document open, and need to make sure you can see the debate happening on your screen.

7.       **Get up and walk around when you have down time. Do things to clear your head between rounds. These will help you stay sane.