Judge Resources

 BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT

Be sure you have the CHROME browser installed on your laptop or desktop computer.

Be sure you have an account on Tabroom.com.  You can't participate in this tournament without one.  Directions are here.  Please include a cell phone number when you sign up.

Test your ability to connect to NSDA Campus (the video platform for the tournament).  Click here.  Then click on the TEST COMPETITION ROOM button.

See this 3-minute video: here 

There is more information on NSDA CAMPUS (the video platform), ELECTRONIC BALLOTS, and JUDGING further down this page.

ROOM DIRECTIONS

To access rooms, do the following:

Log into Tabroom if you are not already logged in.

Click on your username in the upper right of the Tabroom page - that's the email address you used to set up this account.

Somewhere on the right side of the page, look for the JUDGING heading.  Under that, there will be a yellow button labeled CURRENT BALLOTS & PANELS.  Click on that button.

At the top of the screen you will see some tournament rooms (see screenshot here).

Round assignment: If you have one, it will show up at the top of the page

Your team's squad room.  You, the other judges from your school, and your school's competitors can talk to each other in this video conference room.

The judge lounge.  All judges for this tournament can gather in this room.   

 DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT

Check in with your team to make sure everyone is ready to go.

Go to the judge briefing - In the JUDGE LOUNGE (see room directions, above). 

At 3:20 PM on Friday

At 8:00 AM on Saturday - for Saturday-only judges

WHEN IT IS TIME FOR A ROUND

Your assignment *should* come by email and text.  But message delivery does not always work.  Be aware of the schedule (see main tournament page).  If you do not get a round assignment:

Click on your username (email address) in the upper right corner of the tabroom page.

If you still do not have an assignment, go to the judge lounge (see room directions, above).  We might need you as a substitute.

WHEN YOU DO GET A ROUND ASSIGNMENT

Click the green START button.  That way, we know you got the ballot.

Click on the camera icon to go to your competition virtual room.  (see room directions, above).

Have all participants - you and the debaters - test their microphones and cameras as soon as you can.

Somebody (a debater or the judge) should create a Google doc that can be edited by anyone with its link.  Put that link in the room chat.  Now the debaters can share evidence easily.

REACHING TAB DURING THE TOURNAMENT -

Say who you are, your school, and what division you are judging.

Email MSDLDebate@gmail.com

Text (617) 564-0281

Or - use the messaging function to the right of your virtual room screen.  

Or - go to the judge lounge.

NSDA Campus - prerequisites.  You must: 

Have a Tabroom account that you have logged into.  See here for setting up an account.

Be using the Chrome browser

Be on a laptop or desktop computer.  You cannot view rounds using a tablet.

MORE INFORMATION ON NSDA CAMPUS:

This 16-minute video (here) shows you how to use Tabroom to find your online debate room and enter your ballot.  The NY CFL prepared the video, so there are a few things that are different from the MSDL. Notably, we *do* allow low-point wins, whereas the NY CFL does not.

This 3-minute video (here) provides a quick overview for NSDA Campus

MORE INFORMATION ON JUDGING AND ELECTRONIC BALLOTS 

How to use TABROOM to enter electronic ballots - here

How to judge PF - A quick overview, plus some resources - here

Jim Menick's how-to-judge document - here.  Note - This document describes "brick and mortar" tournaments, but the key points carry over to the virtual world.

Jim Menick's overview for Public Forum Debate - here.  Note - This document also describes "brick and mortar" tournaments.

A nice video on how to navigate Tabroom.com - how to find information about the tournament you are judging, etc. - here.