This page covers how to moderate (and scorekeep) a match on Zoom using the website BuzzIn.Live. This page covers the other accepted method, which uses Zoom’s built-in chat. PACE recommends using BuzzIn.Live, but both will work effectively. Check with your tournament director to see which method will be in use at your tournament.
Making and configuring your BuzzIn.Live room:
- In a browser window, go to BuzzIn.Live and click on “Create Game.”
- Make this window small and scroll to the bottom. The window should now only show the red clear button and the list of players.
- Using a second device or a friend, join the room using the game code (scrolling back to the top of the window) and attempt to buzz. If you hear the buzzer sound, you’re all set.
- If you are able to do so, you may try creating the BuzzIn.Live room on your phone, which frees space on your computer window (and is a better simulation of a physical buzzer control box by your elbow).
- Make sure to still test the buzzer noise using this method.
- Keep your phone plugged into its charger throughout the day.
Setting up your screen:
While moderating for your tournament, you will need to keep track of several windows or tabs: the questions that you’ll be reading, the video of the participants, the buzzer interface, and, if you are scorekeeping as well, a scoresheet. Proper setup of your screen(s) is critical.
- Typically, moderators for online tournaments will have Zoom videos at the top of the screen, questions in a window on the left, and the buzzer control window on the right.
- Alternatively, the questions can be placed in a screen-wide window at the bottom, while the Zoom video and buzzer control windows are above.
- If you are reading the questions in Microsoft Word, consider using the “Split” tool under “Window” to view both tossups and bonuses simultaneously.
Scorekeeping:
Moderators who are also scorekeeping have an additional layer of complexity to handle.
- The scoresheet is typically in a browser window. If you are also reading questions from another browser window, either put them in the same window and use a keyboard shortcut to switch between tabs, or put the windows in the same space and use a keyboard shortcut to switch windows rapidly. Using keyboard shortcuts to switch back and forth is considerably more efficient than clicking.
TODO: add screenshot of match in progress with windows
Miscellaneous:
- Between rounds, it is very easy to miss new players arriving to the waiting room, since Zoom’s notification for new entrants in the waiting room is unfortunately subtle. Check every few seconds while waiting for new teams to arrive.