Using Random Picks in Class and Meetings: Presenters, Groups and Order

Ask "who wants to go first?" and a silence falls over any classroom or meeting room. Calling on someone can look like favoritism, and waiting for volunteers means hearing from the same people every time. A random pick speeds up the decision and reduces complaints.

Why a random pick helps

• It's easy to accept. People rarely resent a result that came from a process and not from a person.
• More people take part. Quieter people naturally get a chance to speak.
• It eases the mood. A few seconds of watching a wheel spin lets everyone laugh and relax.

Use 1: Pick one presenter

This is the simplest use. Put Spin the Wheel on a projector or shared screen and spin together. To avoid repeat picks, remove the name of whoever just presented before the next spin.

Use 2: Set a complete order

Car Race shows every player's finishing position, so it sets an entire order at once. Present in order from first place, for up to 12 people. For bigger groups, race team representatives first.

Use 3: Assign roles and duties

For several people at a time, such as two cleaners and a note-taker, Ghost Leg works well. You can set how many get caught, and tracing paths one at a time holds attention.

For bigger groups, Pinball Drop takes up to 20 names and also lets you set how many are caught.

Use 4: Split into groups

There's no dedicated feature, but there is an easy method. Set the number caught to the size of the first group and run Pinball Drop. Those caught form group one. Remove their names and repeat until all the groups are formed.

Before you use it

• Names are saved in your browser. They aren't sent to a server, but on a shared computer you should clear them afterward. Using numbers in place of students' real names is another option.
• Be considerate. If someone finds presenting very hard, offer an alternative or time to prepare.
• Skip the jump-scare games. Russian Roulette, Draw the Joker, Pop-Up Pirate and Cut the Wire come with loud sounds and flashes, which don't suit classes or meetings.
• Check the volume. If you're connected to speakers, decide on sound before you start. The speaker button at the top of the page switches it.

A draw is only a tool for making a decision. If someone has a good reason they can't accept the result, adjusting for them matters more.