RI U14s Technical Guide 2024

RI UNDER-14 DEBATING
CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Technical Guide | 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Use of Platforms .................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Discord ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Zoom ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Pre-Competition Procedure.................................................................................... 5
2.1. Release of Prepped Motions ............................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Technical Check ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Competition Procedure .......................................................................................... 6
3.1. Debate Prep and Round Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 6
3.2. Technical Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.3. Adjudication and Feedback ................................................................................................................................................ 6
3.4. Emergency Contacts .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.5. Teachers’ Contacts ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Annex I - Masterlist of Links and Contacts ............................................................... 7
Technical Guide | 3
1. Use of Platforms
1.1. Discord
https://discord.gg/E9cK7DyZjP
a) The Discord server serves the following purposes:
i) Dissemination of important information/announcements to teams,
ii) Answering of queries regarding motions, draws, rounds etc.,
iii) Platform for teams to prepare for impromptu debates,
iv) Platform of adjudicators to provide additional feedback to teams,
v) As a backup in case Zoom does not work.
b) Please join the Discord server by clicking the link above as soon as possible and constantly check the platform
for updates.
c) Upon entering the Discord server, please rename yourself accordingly:
i) Debaters: [Team Name] – [Full Name] (e.g. Team A – Jane Doe)
ii) Teachers: T – [Team Name] – [Full Name]
iii) Coaches: C – [Team Name] – [Full Name]
iv) Adjudicators: J – [Full Name]
d) For the purposes of identification, please also go to the text channel #get-roles and select your role (refer
to image below). This channel can be found in the channel sidebar to the left of the screen (under “Important
Information”).
e) The Discord server contains different voice and text channels, sorted according to debate rooms. Please only
join the voice/text channel of your debate room when required.
f) Adjudicators will have to join an additional Discord server to facilitate the deliberation with other
adjudicators. The link to the Adjudicators’ Discord server can be found in the Adjudicator Brief document.
Technical Guide | 4
1.2. Zoom
https://moe-
singapore.zoom.us/j/3316276449?omn=84391942295
Password: 485523
a) Zoom will be the main platform used for debates and adjudication. Please ensure that:
i) Zoom is updated to the latest version, so that you can join breakout rooms. For PCs, click on the icon
at the top right hand corner of the Zoom home screen, and select the “Check for Updates” option.
ii) You have Zoom installed on another device (e.g. phone, tablet) as backup, in the event that your
main device is unable to join the Zoom call.
b) Naming convention: Due to the security functions on MOE Zoom, participants are unable to rename
themselves within a call itself. Thus, before entering the call:
i) Click on the icon at the top right hand corner, and select My Profile. You will be redirected to a page
on your browser (see picture labelled Step 1).
ii) Click on the Edit button beside your name (see picture labelled Step 2).
iii) Edit the Display Name according to the naming conventions as outlined in Section 1.1c.
c) Once breakout rooms are opened, join the appropriate room by clicking on the “Breakout Rooms” button in
the bottom menu bar. Participants are reminded to only join rooms in which your debate is taking place in;
joining the rooms of other teams during preparation time or when debates are taking place is prohibited.
d) Observer Policy: Each team is only allowed to invite up to one coach and two teachers who should have a
C and T in front of their name in Zoom for identification.
Technical Guide | 5
2. Pre-Competition Procedure
2.1. Release of Prepped Motions
a) Round 1 and the Grand Finals of RI U-14s are prepared rounds. The prepared motions and the sides for
Round 1 will be released to schools via email, and can also be found on the tournament Discord server. The
above information will be released one week before the commencement of the tournament.
2.2. Technical Check

a) All participants and Teachers-in-Charge are required to attend a short technical check prior to the
commencement of the tournament, to ensure that teams will not encounter technical difficulties during the
tournament.
b) The technical check is compulsory for all teams. Teams that do not attend the technical check will be
disqualified from the tournament.
c) The dates for the technical check will be sent to the emails of Teachers-in-Charge closer to the tournament.
d) Prior to the technical check, please ensure that you have a working camera, microphone, speaker, and that
you are updated to the latest version of Zoom and Discord.
Technical Guide | 6
3. Competition Procedure
3.1. Debate Prep and Round Procedure
a) Participants may choose to prepare with their team on their own communication platforms or on the Discord
channels provided. Zoom breakout rooms will not be opened for team preparation.
b) Should teams be using the Discord channels for team preparation, they should only join the prep channel of
the room and side that they have been allocated.
c) Teams are not allowed to access the internet during preparation for impromptu debates, except to access
online collaborative software (e.g. Google Docs).
d) Teams are not allowed to reference any material (printed or otherwise), with the exception of a hardcopy
English Language dictionary and a hardcopy almanac.
e) Coaches and teachers are not allowed to communicate with teams in any form, be it verbally or in writing.
Coaches and teachers are strictly not allowed to enter debate preparation channels under any
circumstances. Violation of this rule will lead to disqualification.
f) When preparation time has elapsed, participants will be informed through Zoom, as well as on Discord.
3.2. Technical Issues

a) Participants
i) If the speaker disconnects during the debate, they will be given five minutes to reconnect to the Zoom
call.
ii) If the speaker is unable to re-join the call after five minutes, a speaker may choose to ‘iron-person’.
More details on the ‘iron-person’ policy can be found in the Tournament Handbook.
iii) Should a speaker be disconnected mid-speech, adjudicators will pause the timer until the speaker
returns, and may request that the speaker continue where they left off or restart the speech according
to their discretion.
iv) Adjudicators are not required to wait for reserve members or speaking members who disconnect in
the middle of the debate when it is not their turn to speak.
b) Adjudicators
i) If any judge disconnects from the call (both Chair and Panellist), please pause the debate and contact
the core adjudication panel or organising committee through the #missing-team-or-judge channel on
Discord.
c) Coaches and Teachers
i) If a coach or teacher disconnects before the debate has begun, adjudicators should give them five
minutes to reconnect. If they disconnect in the middle of the debate, adjudicators will not wait for
them to reconnect.
3.3. Adjudication and Feedback

a) Upon the conclusion of the debate, adjudicators should proceed to the Adjudicators’ Discord channel for
deliberation and to prepare for Oral Adjudication. Debaters should stay in the breakout room while
adjudicators deliberate.
b) Once adjudicators have keyed in their scores on the e-ballot, they are to return to the Zoom breakout room
and provide an Oral Adjudication and Reasons for Decision for the debate.
c) For silent rounds, adjudicators and debaters should leave the breakout room as soon as the debate
concludes.
d) Teams may use the Discord server to contact adjudicators for further feedback should there be insufficient
time during the Oral Adjudication.
3.4. Emergency Contacts

a) Koh Ming En Donovan (Chairperson): 9788 0273
b) Dang Tran Minh Phuong (Annie) (Vice-Chairperson): 8292 1358
3.5. Teachers’ Contacts

a) Ms Nicole Magno: [email protected]
b) Mr Samuel Chan: [email protected]
c) Mrs Shirlyn Mong-Toh: [email protected]
Technical Guide | 7
Annex I - Masterlist of Links and Contacts
Zoom https://moe-singapore.zoom.us/j/3316276449?omn=84391942295
Password: 485523
Discord https://discord.gg/E9cK7DyZjP
Equity Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlgAdsdCJrXou1fRCtR
HbfXEo76wpypNxxi5h1pOLNWOoxfg/viewform?usp=sharing
Emergency Contacts Koh Ming En Donovan (Chairperson): 9788 0273
Dang Tran Minh Phuong (Annie) (Vice-Chairperson): 8292 1358
Ms Nicole Magno: [email protected]
Teachers’ Contacts Mr Samuel Chan: [email protected]
Mrs Shirlyn Mong-Toh: [email protected]

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RI UNDER-14 DEBATING

2.2. Technical Check

3.2. Technical Issues

3.3. Adjudication and Feedback

3.4. Emergency Contacts

3.5. Teachers’ Contacts

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