Classroom random student picker
A fair way to choose who answers next, presents, or joins a group — without the “you always pick the same kids” suspicion.
Open the picker →Why teachers need a fair picker
Cold-calling and random turns work best when students trust the process. Browser toys that use everyday pseudorandom code can be questioned; a server-side, entropy-backed draw makes equal odds easier to explain to a class.
How to use Pick a Name in class
- Paste your roster — one student name per line.
- Press Spin. The server chooses before the reel finishes moving.
- Use Copy share link so a substitute or co-teacher opens the same list.
- Remove a name from the box when you want them out of the next round; History can add them back later.
Classroom tips
- Project the page so the class sees the reveal together.
- Keep a shared link for each period or advisory.
- For partners or teams, run Spin twice (or use the sample API for multiple names).