Random picker for discussions
Save a list of viewpoints, names or questions and let the random picker draw one, for example the viewpoint a group argues from.
When to use it
Use it when a choice should be fair and visible to everyone: giving each group a role in a discussion, choosing who presents first, or drawing the next question to talk about. Once saved, the same list is ready for every lesson.
Setting it up
Open Tools & references in the sidebar and choose Random picker. It starts with three placeholder items.
Replace them with your own, for example Forester, Conservationist and Hiker. Add item adds a row and Remove item deletes one; empty rows are ignored when you save.
Click Add to my materials, give the list a title and confirm.
When you need a draw, open the saved picker and click Pick random item.
In front of the class
Show the picker on the shared screen. The wheel spins and stops on one item, which is marked Picked, and the group then discusses the topic from that point of view. The result is not saved with the list: the next draw starts afresh, and the list stays as you saved it.
Tips
Keep the items short so they are easy to read on the wheel.
The same item can come up twice in a row. If every group needs a different viewpoint, remove an item once it has been drawn.
To keep a change to the list, click Save on the saved picker.
If students should spin the picker themselves and have the result recorded, add a random picker to a worksheet instead.