TheOwlBay
Random name picker
Pick one name from your list — wheel, fullscreen, classroom-ready
Press pick to start
This random student picker draws one name from the list you paste — the classroom job teachers already search for, not a branded wheel product. Turn on remove-after-pick so the same student is not called twice until you reset. Press fullscreen when the board should show only the name. Draws use crypto.getRandomValues. Names stay in localStorage. Pair a turn with the classroom timer if you need a countdown.
Why a list picker is not a team split
People search for a random name picker, a student picker, and spin the wheel for the same job: one winner from a list the room can see. Splitting everyone into groups is a different URL. A coin toss is a different URL. This page exists so a teacher can paste the class, project a name, and optionally drop that name from the pool until Reset pool. The canvas wheel is a visual, not a physics engine; the winner is still a uniform draw. Load classroom jobs preset fills a short duty list when you are assigning line leader and not calling on a student. We do not grade participation. Ads stay off. If you need teams, open the team generator. If you need two named options only, the coin is faster.
How to pick a name in this panel
Paste names in the Names box, one per line or comma-separated. Check Remove winner from pool after each pick if you do not want repeats until the pool is empty. Press Pick random for a name, or Spin the wheel for the canvas spin; both use the same uniform draw. Press Reset pool to put removed names back. Load classroom jobs preset drops a short jobs list you can edit. Fullscreen for projector hides chrome so the board shows the result. The list sits in localStorage so a refresh does not wipe the roster. Share a pick if you want a URL; nothing is uploaded unless you copy that link. You need at least one name in the pool or the page will ask you to add more.
Examples
Paste student names and pick one volunteer fairly.
Elimination mode removes each winner until one name remains.
Common mistakes
Leaving Remove winner off when you want no repeats in one session.
Expecting weighted tickets — use the raffle picker for ticket counts.
How the winner is drawn
The script builds a pool from the Names box, drops anyone already removed this session if that checkbox is on, then picks one index with crypto.getRandomValues. That is a cryptographically strong integer, not true random, not a server lottery, and not a weighted raffle. The wheel animation is decoration; it does not simulate friction or a biased slice. When the pool is empty you reset rather than inventing a student. localStorage holds the textarea and last checkbox on this device. Classroom jobs preset is a convenience list, not a required curriculum. We do not store names on a TheOwlBay account. If you need Alice x3 tickets, use the raffle picker. If you need every name placed, use teams.
Who this picker is for
Teachers calling on students, standup hosts picking who speaks, and party hosts drawing one prize from a list will use this more than a coin. Fullscreen for projector is for the board at the front of the room. Remove winner from pool is for cold-calling without repeats until Reset pool. It is not for splitting the whole class, not for Secret Santa pairings, and not for seating rows. Load classroom jobs preset is for duty charts, not for grading. If you need a timer on the same turn, open the classroom timer sibling. TheOwlBay does not take attendance. Ads are off. No account is required to pick a name.
Spin the wheel
Use the canvas wheel for a visual spin-the-wheel experience. The underlying pick is still a uniform random draw — not a physics simulation.
FAQ
Is Spin the wheel a physics simulation?
No. It is a visual. The winner is still a uniform pick with crypto.getRandomValues, same as Pick random.
How do I avoid calling the same student twice?
Check Remove winner from pool after each pick. Press Reset pool when you want the full list again.
What does Load classroom jobs preset do?
It fills Names with a short duty list you can edit. It is not a second product and not a gradebook.
When should I use Fullscreen for projector?
When the board should show only the picked name. Exit fullscreen to edit the list again.
Picker versus team generator?
Picker draws one name. Team generator places everyone. Coin flip is for two labels only.
Where is the class list stored?
In localStorage on this device. TheOwlBay does not require an account.