When you are teaching it is sometimes helpful if you can utilize random selection as a strategy to keep students engaged and alert. I have worked with teachers who used Popsicle sticks or index cards to randomly call on students. Basically, the random selection strategy is designed to keep all student eyes on you, the teacher. Today I am sharing some techno “tech-niques” that you can add to your random bag of tricks. These online random selection tools would be especially neat to use if you are fortunate enough to have an Interactive white board in your room.

STRATEGIES/TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED WHEN CALLING ON INDIVIDUALS

1. The Classtools.net Random Name/Word Picker is definitely one of my favorite randomizers. Input your class list to randomly select one student at a time. The randomizer also suggested another activity that involves using the randomizer for a password-type game. The randomizer is colorful, incorporates sound, and gives you the choice of delivery between a slot-type machine or typewriter. Check out this site! It truly is an engaging way to randomly select students or present various words.
2. Buy a pack of playing cards and utilize the Random.org Playing Card Shuffler. Match the cards you use to the randomizer (ahead of time). Pass out the cards and let students take turns drawing a card online during a review session that entails classroom participation.
3. Use the online Random Name Generator, a free online flash program that can be used to randomly draw a name from your class. The name results will never come up in the same order twice and each name appears one click at a time. The program is free, fast to set up, and can be used throughout the school year. You might want to set up your class list in advance, though it is as simple as inputting student names.
4. The Random.org site also has a List Randomizer tool that you may find helpful. You do have to enter student names each time you use the tool and the tool will give you a random numbered list of students. The randomized list is different each time. Unfortunately, if you are projecting on the board students would be able to gauge when they would be called on since the full list is generated and shown all at once.
5. Use the Random Number widget shown below. Have student draw numbers from a hat at the beginning of class and click the generator button to select a random number during class. You can also include this generator on your classroom site or classroom blog. Simply click on the Random.org link found at the bottom of the chart. The chart can also be customized for color and number range.
6. Have student draw numbers from a hat at the beginning of class and click the generator button to select a random number during class. You can then generate random individual numbers from 1-30 using the Lucky Winner Randomizer. Simply refresh your screen to show a different number in random order.

STRATEGIES/TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED WHEN CALLING ON GROUPS

1. You can also use Random.org Playing Card Shuffler to establish groups. Count out the cards (physically and virtually). Have students draw cards. Then call out the groups using the online Playing Card Shuffler. You could have the first drawn card be the group leader. For example…hand out the ace of heart, diamond, and clubs among your cards. If the ace of clubs is “drawn” first using the online shuffer the student who drew the ace of clubs would be the group leader. If the ace of hearts appears second that student could be the recorder of the group. And so forth…
2. Use the Flash Group Maker to quickly break your students into groups of 2, 3, 4, or 5. The program is free, fast to set up, and can be used throughout the school year. You might want to set up your class list in advance, though it is as simple as inputting student names.
3. The Triptico Eight Option Spinner can be used once groups are formed to randomly select a group. I especially like this tool because you could use one of the group strategies above to create groups and then ask the groups to come up with a name for their group. Then, you can input the group names in this generator. The customize feature of the generator is really cool. Of course the spinner can also be used if you are working with small groups of students or have your students sitting at tables. This is unquestionably one of the best online spinner tools I have come across.
4. Designate is another tool that can be used to select a group. You can input a question like “Which group should I select next?”; then, input up to 8 names, phrases, or words. The random generator will designate one answer/person at a time.

Some of the countdown timers I included in my Timely Applications & Resources post could also be used in tandem with some of the tools I have shared today. You could use the timers if you have kinesthetic learners that need to move around. Simply create number cards or tape numbers on the floor. Set the timer and have students walk around the room going from number to number. Use one of the random number tools to select a number. The student standing on the number that matches the generator number would be the student responsible for answering your question. I know…it may seem complicated, but trust me it’s not… and students will really enjoy the activity!

Please use the comments link below to share additional strategies and tools that can be used for random activities in your classroom.