WiFi & Technology
NO AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING OR PHOTOGRAPHY IN ROUND (including AI tools)
Video or audio recording or photography of any kind is strictly prohibited during rounds. For avoidance of doubt, this prohibition includes the use of AI-assisted tools, software, apps, or devices to record or transcribe the round.
Video or audio recording or photography of any kind is strictly prohibited during rounds. For avoidance of doubt, this prohibition includes the use of AI-assisted tools, software, apps, or devices to record or transcribe the round.
2026 WIFI GUIDANCE
- WiFi has been arranged at all competition sites (access instructions will be in the LiveDocs), but students are advised to have offline backups of all their files in case there’s a WiFi problem.
- Reminder: competitors CANNOT connect to or communicate with persons outside the competition/prep room (including: coaches, assistants, teammates, etc.)
- CRITICAL NOTE: At the Convention Center on Saturday our WiFi is extremely limited due to the exceptionally high fees associated with providing it to all of our guests. Students and Judges are asked to use the Public WiFi for Tabroom blasts, in-between rounds, and for general internet access for your phones. Please only use the dedicated NCFL WiFi during competition rounds. Please do NOT use the NCFL WiFi to stream video or music, tiktok, etc. Using the NCFL WiFi on more than one device and for anything other then competition/in round access may jeopardize other competitors and judges for being able to use the WiFI as well. THANK YOU for your cooperation and partnership on this!
WIFI LOGIN INFORMATION
Westin:
Westin:
- Network: Westin_Conference
- Password: NCFL2026
- Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference
- Password: NCFL2026
- Network: NCFLWiFiForRounds
- Password: NCFL2026
- Note: this network will reset every four hours. You will need to log in again when that happens. Make sure you have offline access to your important files! Judges are encouraged to write comments on a document saved on their computers, so you can copy/paste them into your ballot if your online connection is lost.
- Students and Judges are asked to use the Public WiFi for Tabroom blasts, in-between rounds, and for general internet access for your phones. Please only use the dedicated NCFL WiFi during competition rounds. THANK YOU!
2026 POWER/ELECTRICITY INFORMATION
- Sharing is caring! We encourage all attendees to bring power strips with them so you can share the power supply with others.
- We’ve set up power drops in the Convention Center cubicles and there are wall outlets in the conference rooms, but there is not a guarantee of power we can provide.
- All debaters should bring power strips, teams will need to share with their partner and the judges.
- No power strips will be allowed in Extemp Prep. Students will need to charge in between rounds in hallways or student lounge.
- There will be a limited number of short power strips available for sale at the Merch/Souvenirs Table if you forget yours.
TECHNOLOGY USAGE GUIDELINES FOR NCFL2026
The By-Laws relating to computer and technology use were updated in 2023. The updated language of the NCFL By-Laws regarding technology use by students is summarized as follows:
In Declamation, Dramatic Performance, Oral Interp, Original Oratory, and Duo Interp:
The By-Laws relating to computer and technology use were updated in 2023. The updated language of the NCFL By-Laws regarding technology use by students is summarized as follows:
In Declamation, Dramatic Performance, Oral Interp, Original Oratory, and Duo Interp:
- No tech devices or connectivity may be used
- In the prep room:
- Computers, electronic storage and retrieval devices are permitted.
- Connectivity for search and retrieval is permitted.
- Connectivity with any person inside or outside the prep room is not permitted. Electronic communication with any other person, through wired or wireless networks, cell phones, etc. is not permitted.
- Materials can be on files on their computers; retrieved from an attached thumb, flash, or hard drive; or retrieved from an internet connected source.
- Prepared speeches are not allowed.
- All technology must remain in the prep room.
- Computers, electronic storage and retrieval devices are permitted.
- Connectivity for search and retrieval is permitted.
- Electronic communication is permitted only with the assigned judges and competitors inside the competition room.
- Electronic communication with any other person, through wired or wireless networks, cell phones, etc. outside the competition room is not permitted.
NCFL STATEMENT ON THE USE OF CHATGPT AND SIMILAR AI TOOLS
NCFL will not restrict the use of ChatGPT, Bard, or other similar AI-based research tools in Extemp Prep, Student Congress, or Debate events. These can be legitimate research tools. However, given that some of these systems lack current data and often do not cite exact sources or evidence, using them directly for speech and argument preparation will be challenging.
These tools are currently being used in schools and workplaces and usage will only increase as new versions and options are released. We need to teach students to use them, as first drafts or idea generators, and how to get to a finished product on their own after using them for a first draft.
While we encourage all coaches, judges, and students to carefully review the NCFL Bylaws prior to the National Competition, we do want to specifically remind coaches and students of some pertinent NCFL rules, set forth in the Bylaws, to keep in mind when working with these tools:
NCFL will not restrict the use of ChatGPT, Bard, or other similar AI-based research tools in Extemp Prep, Student Congress, or Debate events. These can be legitimate research tools. However, given that some of these systems lack current data and often do not cite exact sources or evidence, using them directly for speech and argument preparation will be challenging.
These tools are currently being used in schools and workplaces and usage will only increase as new versions and options are released. We need to teach students to use them, as first drafts or idea generators, and how to get to a finished product on their own after using them for a first draft.
While we encourage all coaches, judges, and students to carefully review the NCFL Bylaws prior to the National Competition, we do want to specifically remind coaches and students of some pertinent NCFL rules, set forth in the Bylaws, to keep in mind when working with these tools:
- In Extemporaneous Speaking, rule #1 states, "The speech should be an original synthesis by the contestant," and continues, "The speaker is responsible for the ethical use of source information."
- In Original Oratory, rule #3 states, "The speech must be one that has been composed by the student delivering it."
- Students using these tools should cite them as a source and judges will be allowed to consider if a student's sources are well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient when determining ranks. In Debate and Congress quoting an AI tool when it’s used is required.