TheOwlBay
Class participation tracker
Track who has been called on — fair class participation — free
Class participation tracker helps teachers call on every student before repeats. Paste the roster, pick next name from who remains, and see who was already called. Sync list reloads the pool when you edit names mid-class. Counts show called versus total. Uses crypto.getRandomValues. Data stays in localStorage. This is not a gradebook and not participation points.
Why participation tracking is not the random picker
The random picker can remove winners, but teachers also want a running list of who already spoke during a week-long unit. Participation tracker keeps remaining and called pools separate, shows a status line, and lets you reset when the class starts fresh. It exists for equitable call-ons in seminars, ESL circles, and Socratic discussions. We do not export grades to an LMS. We do not surveil students. Ads stay off. If you only need one name right now without history, the picker is faster. If you need speaking order for presentations, use presentation order. If you need a timer per answer, use the classroom timer.
How to use the participation tracker
Paste names and pick students until everyone has been called once.
Picks use crypto.getRandomValues. Lists and called history stay in localStorage on your device.
What the tracker remembers
Remaining and called arrays live in localStorage with the textarea. Each pick uses crypto.getRandomValues on the remaining pool without replacement until reset. Sync parses the textarea again and rebuilds remaining from names not already in called. The status line is text, not colour-only. Nothing is sent to TheOwlBay servers. This tool does not compute participation percentages for report cards. Clearing site data wipes history.
Who should use this tracker
Middle and high school teachers, university TAs, and workshop leaders who want everyone heard once before repeats. It is also for substitute teachers following a fairness norm the class agreed on. It is not for cold-calling without warning, not for disciplinary tracking, and not for online proctoring. Print the called list if you need a paper audit. Pair with presentation order when the unit ends in speeches. TheOwlBay stays free without school accounts.
FAQ
Does this grade participation?
No. It only helps you call names fairly. Export grades elsewhere.
What happens when everyone was called?
Pick next stops and asks you to reset participation for a new round.
Can I edit the class list mid-period?
Yes. Change names, then press Reload list into pool.
Is this the same as the random picker?
The picker draws one winner. This tracker keeps called history until you reset.
Where is data stored?
In localStorage on this device. No TheOwlBay account.