How do you use a random name picker in class?
To use a random name picker in class, paste the class list, pick a spin mode and press SPIN. Students see the pick happen on screen. The setup takes under 1 minute per class.
- Paste the class list into the wheel, one name per line. A table copied from Google Sheets or Excel opens a column picker.
- Choose "After each spin": Remove the winner or Hide the winner gives every student one turn.
- Save the wheel with 💾 Save. Keep one wheel per class period in 📂 My wheels.
- Press ▶ Present for a full-screen wheel without the editor.
- Press Space to spin. Press Esc to leave the presentation.
How do you call on students fairly?
To call on students fairly, hide each name after it is picked. Every student then gets 1 turn before anyone gets 2. A class of 24 completes a full round in 24 spins.
Keeping every name on the wheel gives uneven turns. With 24 names and 10 spins, each student has a 65% chance of not being called at all. At least 1 student is picked twice in 89% of those 10-spin lessons. The wheel odds calculator works out these chances for any class size.
- Absent students: open the list view and hide their names for the day.
- New round: press Restore hidden entries to bring every hidden name back.
- Pick 2 at once: set Winners to 2 for a think-pair-share partner draw.
How do you make a question wheel?
To make a question wheel, type one question per line instead of names. Set the wheel to remove each question after it is drawn, so no question repeats. The Review questions quick fill gives 8 ready-made prompts.
Short labels read best on a projector. Put numbers such as Q1 to Q12 on the wheel and keep the full questions on your slide. Two wheels make a full review game: one browser tab picks the student and a second tab picks the question. Read the result aloud announces each pick for students at the back of the room.
How do you assign group work roles at random?
To assign group roles at random, load the Group work roles quick fill and let each group member spin once. Each role leaves the wheel after it is drawn. A group of 5 fills all 5 roles in 5 spins.
| Role | Job in the group |
|---|---|
| Leader | Keeps the group on task and settles disagreements |
| Note-taker | Writes down ideas, answers and decisions |
| Timekeeper | Tracks the clock and calls time checks |
| Presenter | Shares the group's work with the class |
| Researcher | Finds facts in the textbook or online |
The random team generator splits the whole class into groups first.
How do you show the wheel on a classroom screen?
Press ▶ Present to show the wheel on a classroom screen. Present mode fills the screen, hides the editor and shows the wheel title. Space spins the wheel, and the wheel works on touch screens and interactive whiteboards.
- 3-2-1 countdown builds suspense before each pick.
- Sound sets play a tick and a win sound, or stay muted for quiet work.
- Auto-close clears the result after 3, 5 or 10 seconds.
- Dark mode cuts glare on bright projectors.
How do students open the wheel on their own devices?
Students open the wheel by scanning its QR code. Press Share and show the QR code on the board. Phones and tablets open the same wheel, and each device spins on its own.
Class lists stay private by default. Saved wheels live in this browser only, and nothing is uploaded. The share link and QR code carry the entry list. Use first names only when the link leaves the classroom. Very long lists do not fit in a QR code, so share the link instead.
How do you run a points game with the wheel?
To run a points game, set "After each spin" to Keep score (tally) and choose a "First to" target. Put team names on the wheel. The scoreboard counts each win until a team reaches the target.
Last one standing runs the opposite game. Each spin removes one entry until a single winner remains.
Which other classroom tools pick at random?
4 other tools cover common classroom games and routines.
- Random number generator: seat numbers, page numbers and math practice.
- Random letter generator: spelling games and Scattergories rounds.
- Dice roller: probability lessons and board games.
- Coin flip: quick two-way choices, such as which team starts.