Registration and Participation Guidelines for EduDrift Online Competitions

To ensure a smooth experience, please follow this step-by-step guide outlining the registration process and what to do next after registering for an EduDrift online tournament.

How to Register for an EduDrift Online Tournament

Step 1. Choose your tournament

  • EduDrift hosts various online tournaments for debaters and public speakers. Visit the Online Competitions page to view upcoming events, including details on dates, formats, and eligibility.

Step 2. Select and purchase your ticket.

  • Once you have chosen a tournament, scroll to the registration section at the bottom of the page and select from the following ticket options:
    • Debate Team Ticket (for teams in debate events)
    • Competitor Ticket (for individuals in public speaking events)
    • Ticket with Workshop (includes competition entry and a pre-tournament workshop)
    • Observer Ticket (for those who wish to watch the event without competing)
  • After selecting a ticket, you will be redirected to the Stripe payment page.

Step 3. Submit your payment

  • On the Stripe payment page:
    • Enter your contact details and choose your preferred payment method.
    • Ensure all information is accurate, as it will be used for registration and communication.
    • Follow the payment instructions to complete the transaction.
  • Once the payment is processed, a confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours, including your confirmation ID or receipt number. Keep this number, as you will need it when submitting the online check-in form.
  • If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, check your spam folder or contact finance@edudrift.com for assistance.

Step 4: Receive confirmation email with event onboarding instructions

  • As the event approaches, you will receive an email containing onboarding instructions. Follow these steps carefully to prepare for the tournament.

What to Do After Registering

Step 1: Complete the online tournament check-in form

  • To finalise your event registration, submit the online tournament check-in form provided in your confirmation email. All participants must complete and submit this form individually. This step verifies your identity, confirms eligibility, and grants access to tournament communication channels. Incomplete or inaccurate submissions may result in removal from event platforms.

Step 2: Join the tournament communication channel

  • Join the Slack workspace provided in your confirmation email. All real-time updates, including announcements and schedule changes, will be shared here.

Step 3: Access the Zoom credentials

  • The tournament will be conducted on Zoom. Your confirmation email will include the following: Zoom link, meeting ID, and passcode. These credentials are required for competition access. Ensure you have them saved and ready before the event.
  • Roll call begins at the designated time for each tournament. Unless otherwise stated, most tournaments follow 08:00 AM (GMT+8, Singapore Standard Time). However, events such as Korea Nationals follow a different timezone. Please refer to the official schedule in your confirmation email on both tournament days. and ensure you arrive on time to avoid disqualification.

Step 4: Prepare for the competition

  • To ensure a smooth competition experience, make sure to:
    • Test your microphone and camera in advance.
    • Ensure a stable internet connection.
    • Familiarize yourself with Zoom and Slack.
    • Review the tournament rulebook available on the event page. For example:
      • If you registered for the Asia Schools Open – Asian Parliamentary (Winter), you will find the Asian 3v3 rulebook under the Resources section of the event page.
      • If you registered for Asian Public Speaking Championships, you will find the Modified WIDPSC rulebook in the same section.
    • Each tournament page provides the relevant rulebook link according to its format.

Step 5: Take note of your team code/speaking schedule

  • For debate tournaments:
    • Before the tournament, ensure you visit the event’s Calicotab. The link will be posted in the Slack convening hall. Check that your listed teammates are correct and that your eligibility status is accurate. Make sure you remember your team code/name because you will need it for the following:
      1. To reflect it in your Zoom name when joining the event.
      2. To identify yourselves in the tournament draws.
  • For public speaking tournaments:
    • The event follows a speaking schedule, which outlines the exact time each participant is scheduled to deliver their speeches. This ensures a structured flow for all speaking segments—Interpretive Reading, Persuasive Speaking, and Impromptu Speaking. 
    • Participants must be ready at least 15 minutes before their assigned schedule to avoid missing their turn. The schedule will be posted on Slack and sent to your registered email before the competition.

Step 6: Submit the Hall of Fame Inductee Form

  • Participants who wish to be featured in the Hall of Fame are encouraged to submit the Hall of Fame Inductee Form. This ensures that achievements and awards from the tournament are properly recognised. The submission link will be sent to your registered email address.

Step 7: Attend the pre-tournament workshop (if applicable)

  • If you purchased a ticket with a workshop, a pre-tournament workshop confirmation email will be sent once your ticket is confirmed. This email will contain the Zoom credentials, workshop schedule, and other essential details to help you prepare.
  • The pre-tournament workshops are held on the Saturday before the event weekend. We highly encourage you to attend, as it will cover:
    • Competition format and expectations,
    • Strategy tips and performance techniques,
    • A Q&A session with expert coaches.

If you do not receive your confirmation email within 3 business days of registering, check your spam folder or contact events@edudrift.com.

Internet and Laptop Use for Preparation

Participants are prohibited from browsing the internet or using online resources for research or assistance during the competition. All preparation must be completed independently, without external resources or collaboration with anyone outside their team.

For debate tournaments:

  • Electronic devices: You may type your speech or notes on a computer or tablet, but you are prohibited from accessing online materials or the internet during the tournament.
  • Printed and handwritten materials: You may use printed materials and handwritten notes that were prepared before the tournament. This includes physical books, debate notebooks, binders of materials, and any other pre-printed reference materials. These are allowed during both your preparation and presentation.
  • Readily available resources: Access to readily available information, such as online resources, digital dictionaries with search functions, or any other instantly accessible digital materials, is prohibited during the tournament.

For public speaking tournaments:

  • Impromptu Speaking: Typing your speech on a computer or tablet during preparation is prohibited. Only handwritten notes are allowed, with no specifications regarding their size. Additionally, only competitors in the Junior Category are allowed to use their notes during their presentation. Senior Category competitors are not allowed to use notes during their presentation.
  • Interpretive Reading: Since the interpretive piece must be read from print and cannot be fully memorized, participants must bring a printed copy of the text to refer to while performing. Online copies of the text are not permitted.
  • Persuasive Speaking: Participants are expected to have memorised their speeches but may use a 4” x 6” double-sided cue card as a prompt.

What to Expect on the Competition Day

Step 1. Log in and check in on time

  • Participants can join the Zoom competition room from 7:45 AM (GMT+8, Singapore Standard Time), 15 minutes before the official start of the tournament. Once joined in the call, please ensure your Zoom name follows the appropriate format:
    • Debater: [Room#]_[TeamCode]_[Name]
      • Example: A13_DNA_Yuan
    • Judge: [Room#]_J_[Name]
      • Example: B13_J_Aly
    • Observer: [Room#]_O_[Name]
      • Example: C13_O_Geri
  • Ensure you are in a quiet space with a stable internet connection, working microphone, and camera on (if possible).

Step 2. Attend the morning briefing

  • The morning briefing will provide essential information to ensure a smooth competition experience, including, but not limited to the:
    • Tournament schedule,
    • Competition format and rules,
    • Break categories and awards,
    • Etiquette and conduct expectations.
  • Participants will also have the opportunity to ask last-minute questions before the actual competition begins.

Step 3. Participate in your rounds

  • For debate tournaments:
    • Draw Release: The match-ups for each round will be released before the start of each debate round. This will include your room number, speaking position, and judge assignment.
    • Motion Release & Preparation Time: If the round is prepared, you will have 15 minutes to prepare before being sent to your debate room. If the round is impromptu, preparation time will be 30 minutes, except for British Parliamentary format, which follows a 15-minute prep time for all rounds.
    • After preparation time ends, you will be sent to your assigned Zoom breakout room for the debate.
    • Ensure your camera and microphone are working properly before the round starts.
    • Remain in the room until you are dismissed by the chair judge.
  • For public speaking tournaments:
    • Follow the official speaking schedule posted on Slack and sent to your registered email.
    • Join the Zoom call at least 15 minutes before your scheduled speaking time to avoid missing your turn.
    • Speaking Segments:
      • Interpretive Reading and Persuasive Speaking are prepared rounds—ensure you have your materials ready.
      • Impromptu Speaking is impromptu—you will be given three random topics on the spot and must choose one to speak on. You will have five minutes to prepare before delivering your speech.
    • The competition consists of a Preliminary Round and a Grand Finals Round. If you advance to the Grand Finals, you may either prepare a second set of materials or reuse your materials from the Preliminary Round.
    • Refer to the official rulebook for guidelines on the types of materials allowed for each speaking segment.
Rulebooks

Step 4. Results and feedback

  • For debate tournaments:
    • Preliminary round results will be shared after each round if it is open. For closed rounds, results will only be revealed after the awarding ceremony.
    • Elimination round results will be announced in the main hall once each round is completed.
    • Judges will provide oral adjudication and feedback for preliminary rounds only. There will be none for the elimination rounds.
  • For public speaking tournaments:
    • The results for all speaking segments in the Preliminary Round will be announced on Day 2 of the competition. Check the tournament schedule for the exact announcement time.
  • Performance reports & certificates:
    • Performance reports and certificates will be sent to participants via email after the tournament.

Post-Tournament

  • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about upcoming tournaments, workshops, and training programs.
  • For additional inquiries, contact us at events@edudrift.com. We look forward to seeing you at our next tournament!