CSDA Guidelines: Use of computers, audiovisual equipment and privacy

Introduction

In recent years, the use of computers and other computing and recording devices has increased exponentially. The CSDA is concerned to ensure that such devices are used in a responsible manner in the course of its activities and that privacy considerations are respected at all times. These Guidelines address those matters.

Definitions

In these Guidelines, a “computing device” is defined as any device that processes data or information and/or which displays, transmits or speaks data or information. Such a device includes, but is not limited to:

  • mobile and wireless telephones
  • laptops and tablets
  • audiovisual recording equipment, defined as any device that can record visual or auditory information. This includes but is not limited to cameras, video and camcorders, dictation and answering machines, personal music players, digital recorders, tape/cassette/ CD/DVD/minidisc/hard disc recorders, Google glasses.

These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with any policies that owners/occupiers of private land have in relation to photography/ recording on their land. Accordingly, the operation of these guidelines should be consistent with at least the following (to the extent they exist):

  • (a) any particular school policy which a school providing debaters each time a debate is held, has in place concerning privacy generally and that of students in particular, including consideration of the contractual arrangements between parents and school
  • (b) the privacy/recording policy of the owner/occupier of any premises in which a debate is held (particularly as to children and young persons), to the extent that is not one of the schools referred to in (a) above
  • (c) the privacy/recording policy of the Council in the local area of which a debate is held (particularly as to children and young persons).

Public Speakers and Debaters

  • Debaters are not permitted to have a computing device with them in a preparation room. Any computing devices of the debaters or school should be left with a responsible adult prior to preparation commencing.

Penalty: If a computing device is found in the possession of a team or team member in a preparation room, the team may, in the absolute discretion of the Executive Officer of the CSDA, having first and at the time provided an opportunity to the team to be heard on the matter, be disqualified or permitted to continue in competition.

  • Public speakers and debaters are not permitted to have a computing device with them in the room where speeches or debates are presented. Any computing devices of the public speakers, debaters or school should be left with a responsible adult prior to commencement of presentation of speeches or debates.

Penalty: If a computing device is found in the possession of a team or team member during presentation of speeches or debates, the team or speaker may, in the absolute discretion of the Executive Officer of the CSDA, having first and at the time provided an opportunity to the team or speaker to be heard on the matter, be disqualified or permitted to continue in competition.

Audience

  • Members of the audience in the presentation room must turn off or make silent all computing devices in their possession
  • The recording of a speech, in whole or in part, is forbidden. This includes a parent or guardian recording the speech of his or her child.

Penalty: In the event of a person making any unauthorised recording, the Executive Officer of the CSDA, having first and at the time provided an opportunity to the team and the person making the recording to be heard on the matter, may, in his or her absolute discretion disqualify or permit to continue in competition the team of which as found by the Executive Officer of the CSDA, to her/his satisfaction as determined in his or her absolute discretion, the person making the recording was a supporter.

  • During or after presentation ceremonies, parents, guardians and teachers in the audience may take images of and record only students related to them and/or who are under their care. No other member of the audience may take any image or record any student or other person involved in the debate or presentation.

Adjudicators

  • Adjudicators are permitted to use a computing device to make notes about a speech strictly in accordance with the following conditions:
    • The computing device must not have at any time during the debate or presentation, an active internet connection
    • The computing device must not record at any time during the debate or presentation, audio or visual content of any speech, in whole or in part
    • The notes created must be typed and must not incorporate or link to sound or visual bytes
  • Hard copy and electronic notes and files created by the adjudicator for the purposes of any debate or presentation are the property of the adjudicator. The adjudicator must not show, provide, distribute or share any such notes or files to or with any person. This shall not prevent the adjudicator from providing verbal feedback to any debater or public speaker
  • No person may record, in whole or in part, any verbal adjudicator feedback.

Penalty: In the event of an adjudicator breaching the above guidelines, the Executive Officer of the CSDA, having first and at the time provided an opportunity to the adjudicator to be heard on the matter, may, in his or her absolute discretion direct the adjudicator to discontinue or permit to continue the use of computing devices to make notes about a speech in the CSDA competition.