TumbleDraw

Random student picker

Call on students fairly. Save a list for each class, spin the wheel on your projector, and take each student off once they've had their turn.

0 entries Click the picker, press the button, or hit Ctrl+Enter

Tip: repeat a name on several lines to give it extra chances.

How many entries: the wheel stays easy to read up to about 50 names and shows names up to 200. The lotto machine holds up to 60 balls at once. Bigger lists work in both, and every entry keeps an equal chance.

Set up your classes once

  1. Paste your class list in the Entries box, one student per line. A column copied from your gradebook or a spreadsheet works.
  2. Press Save list and name it, for example Period 3 or Year 5 Maple.
  3. Repeat for each class. Next lesson, pick the class from Your saved lists and it loads straight away.

Everyone gets a turn

In Settings, turn on Remove the winner from the wheel automatically. Each student leaves the wheel once picked, so nobody is called twice until everyone has had a go. Load the saved list again to start a fresh round.

Classroom ideas

  • Cold calling for answers without the same hands going up
  • Choosing the order for presentations or reading aloud
  • Classroom jobs: line leader, board cleaner, tech helper
  • Picking a winner for a reward or the end of a quiz
  • Making groups with the team generator

Wheel or lotto balls?

The wheel is quick for everyday questions. The Lotto balls style takes a few seconds longer and the class watches the balls tumble, which makes prize draws and Friday rewards more exciting.

Student privacy

Class lists are stored only in the browser on your device. Nothing is uploaded, and there's no account to create. You can use first names or initials if you share the computer, and Delete removes a saved list for good.

On a projector or smart board

Open the page full screen (F11 on most computers) and the wheel scales to fit. Press Ctrl+Enter or tap the wheel to spin. Sound can be turned off in Settings for quiet rooms.

Questions

Is it fair to every student?

Yes. The winner is picked with the browser's cryptographic random generator, the same kind used for passwords, using a method that gives every entry exactly the same chance. The animation is played afterwards to land on that winner, so it never decides the result.

How do I make sure every student gets picked once?

Turn on Remove the winner from the wheel automatically in Settings. Each picked student leaves the wheel, so everyone is called once before anyone is called twice. Load your saved list again to reset.

Can I save more than one class?

Yes. Press Save list and give each class its own name. Your saved lists appear in the Your saved lists menu on every TumbleDraw picker on this device.

Are my students' names uploaded anywhere?

No. Lists are saved in your own browser on this device and are never sent to us. They don't sync to other computers, so save the list on each device you teach from.

Does it work on a Chromebook, iPad or smart board?

Yes. It runs in any modern browser with nothing to install, and the wheel can be tapped to spin.