How to use the name picker
- Paste or type the names, one a line. A column copied from a spreadsheet or a list separated by commas works too, and numbers or bullets at the start of a line are left out.
- Press Pick a name. The names spin for a moment and stop on one. If you have turned off animations on your device, the name appears at once.
- Leave “Don’t pick the same name twice” on to give everyone a turn. The count shows how many names are left, and the list underneath shows who has been picked so far.
- When everyone has had a turn, press Start again. Changing the list also starts again, so a student who arrives late can simply be added.
Why teachers pick names at random
Asking for hands up means the same confident students answer every time. Picking at random, sometimes called cold calling, keeps the whole class thinking, because anyone could be next. It works best when it feels fair and friendly: give thinking time before you pick, let students talk to a partner first, and make it clear that “I am not sure yet” is a fine start to an answer.
A visible, random pick also takes the pressure off you. Nobody can say you always choose them, and you do not have to remember who has already answered. With no repeats turned on, the tool keeps track across the lesson, and even across the week if you come back on the same device.
A random speaking order for presentations
For a round of presentations, speeches or book talks, press Shuffle the order. Every name gets a place in a numbered list, which you can copy into a message or print for the wall. Students know when they are on and can prepare, and nobody has to volunteer to go first.
If students are speaking from notes, they can make their cue cards in the editor first: paste the speech, print the cards and rehearse them with the timer. Speakers with cards in their hand look up more and read less. Make cue cards.
Using it with your class on EasyPalmCards
Teachers who run a class on EasyPalmCards do not need to paste anything. Open the class, and Pick a student and Make groups use the names of the students who joined: first name and last initial, the same names you see in the class. The picks are not saved or shared with students. Free tools for teachers.
Privacy
The names you paste stay in this browser on this device. They are not sent to EasyPalmCards or anyone else, there is no account, and clearing the list removes them. On a shared computer, press Clear the list at the end of the lesson.