Why teachers use a random student picker
Random selection keeps participation fair. Without it, the same confident students tend to answer while quieter ones are skipped. A wheel makes the choice visible and impartial, which students tend to accept more readily than a teacher's choice. It also adds energy to a review session.
This page starts with "Remove winner after each spin" on, so each student is called once before anyone repeats. Turn it off if you want pure random cold-calling.
Set up your class in under a minute
Paste your class list into the entries box, one name per line. Copy the permanent link and bookmark it or add it to your learning management system. Next time you open it, the whole class loads at once. No student data is sent to our servers; the list lives inside the link.
- Use first names or initials for privacy
- Make one link per class period
- Add *2 next to a student who needs extra practice opportunities, if you choose
- Use fullscreen on a projector or smartboard
Ten ideas to use it
See our full guide: 10 classroom activities with a name picker. Quick favourites include picking a reader, choosing who explains a problem, selecting presentation order and running "spin to review" games.
Related tools for school
Split the class with the team generator, give each group a country on the country wheel, or practise vocabulary with the letter wheel.
Set up in three steps
- Paste your roster, using first names or initials.
- Choose whether students should leave the wheel after being picked.
- Copy the permanent link and save it in your lesson plan or learning management system.
Fairness in the classroom
Students are quick to notice if some are picked more than others. A visible, random choice reduces complaints and shows that everyone is held to the same expectations. If you want to give extra opportunities to students who participate less, use weights openly rather than quietly. You can say, for example, that some names appear twice because they volunteered less this week.
Whenever you use a random picker for grades or access to privileges, tell students how it works. Our fairness page is written in plain language and suits older students as a short lesson on randomness and probability.
Teach probability with the wheel
A wheel is a natural way to teach chance. Ask students to predict the result before each spin. Use a two-entry wheel to explore the idea that a streak of the same result does not change the next result. Use a weighted wheel to show that a slice twice as big is twice as likely. Compare predictions with results across many spins and discuss why short runs can look unfair even when the method is fair.
Privacy and good practice
- Use first names or initials rather than full names.
- Entries are not uploaded to our servers, but a share link contains your list, so share it only with colleagues.
- Avoid using the wheel as a punishment; use it for participation.
- Give students the right to pass when the topic is sensitive.
- Rotate through the full list before restarting.
Last updated 6 October 2026 · Winners are chosen with the browser’s cryptographic random generator. How it works
Frequently asked questions
Is this safe to use with students?
Yes. There is no sign-in and entries are not sent to our servers. Use first names or initials to be extra careful.
How do I make sure every student gets a turn?
Keep Remove winner after each spin on. Each student leaves the wheel after being picked.
Can I save my class list?
Copy the permanent link and bookmark it. The list is inside the link.
Does it work on a smartboard?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser, and Fullscreen suits large displays.
Can students use it on their own devices?
Yes. Share the link and each student can spin on their own device. Remember the list is visible in the link.
Is there an app to install?
No. It works in any modern browser, including school Chromebooks.
