The worked scenario

This walkthrough uses a specific, repeatable setup: a 24-student roster, two absent students, one low-stakes discussion prompt, and a goal of giving every present student at most one turn during the round. It is not a testimonial or a claim that random calling is right for every classroom.

The teacher's rule is written before the list is loaded: each selected student receives 20 seconds of think time and may pass once without explaining why. A pass returns the student to the eligible list for a later prompt. Accommodations, discipline, grades, and sensitive disclosures stay outside the wheel entirely.

Step 1: complete the preflight record

Download the classroom preflight checklist attached to this guide. Record the activity, date, eligible group, pass rule, repeat rule, and backup method. The form exists so the decision rules are not invented after a name appears.

For this example, the completed fields would read:

Do not put accommodation details or reasons for absence in the checklist. The selection record should contain only what is needed to run the activity.

Step 2: prepare the exact list

Open Manage Names and paste one display label per line. Remove the two absent students before the first spin. If the wheel will be projected, use first names, initials, or seat numbers rather than full student records.

After pasting, compare the visible count with the preflight record. Random Name Spinner removes exact duplicate lines in the name manager, but labels that differ only by capitalization, such as “Sam” and “sam,” still deserve a visual check before the session starts. Confirm pronunciation separately; the tool cannot supply it.

Use a separate sample list for practice. Do not practice with the live roster because a projected practice result can be mistaken for a real selection.

Step 3: configure one-turn participation

Return to Spinning Wheel and enable Remove winner after pick. This setting removes the selected entry after the result is recorded, which prevents a second selection during the same round.

Keep sound off when it would distract students. Choose a readable text size and high-contrast colors before projecting. The animation is presentation only: the browser selects the index first, then moves the chosen segment to the pointer. The documented selection method is available on the Randomness page.

Step 4: run the same routine every time

Use this sequence for each prompt:

1. Present the prompt to the whole class.

2. Start the same 20-second think period for everyone.

3. Spin once after think time ends.

4. Offer the selected student the agreed turn or pass.

5. If the student participates, leave the entry removed for the round.

6. If the student passes under the written rule, add the display label back before the next prompt.

The Results History tab records the selected label and local time during the session. It is a convenience record stored in the browser, not a permanent attendance log or formal student record.

Step 5: handle interruptions without changing the rules

If the page reloads, first confirm that the list and Remove winner setting still match the preflight record. If the device fails after several selections, do not silently restart with the full list. Use the results already recorded to rebuild only the remaining eligible group, or switch to the documented backup method.

If a student leaves mid-round, remove the entry before the next spin. If a new student arrives, decide whether the original activity rule allows entry after the round started. Apply that rule visibly instead of making an exception based on who arrived.

Step 6: close the session

At the end of the round, review Results History only long enough to complete the activity. Clear the results and active list before handing a shared device to someone else. Delete saved lists that are no longer needed and check Downloads if the roster was exported.

The downloadable checklist includes a closeout section for these steps. It is intentionally a planning aid, not a claim of legal compliance or a substitute for school policy.

What this walkthrough demonstrates

The spinner contributes one narrow capability: an equal-position selection among the entries currently loaded. The teacher contributes the eligibility decision, participation rule, privacy protection, accommodation judgment, and response to exceptions. Keeping those roles separate is what makes this workflow transparent.

Last product check: August 4, 2026. The steps above were reviewed against the current Manage Names, Spinning Wheel, Remove winner after pick, and Results History controls.