Why draw them at random
First come, first served rewards whoever is fastest, not whoever would do the topic best. Assigning them yourself takes a lesson of emails and invites the question of why somebody else got the good one. A random draw is quick and obviously fair, and when the draw is private, students cannot swap before you have seen the list.
How to set it up
- Type the topics, one per line. Case studies, companies, countries, readings, architects, historical figures, legal cases — anything that fits on a line.
- Make the count match the class. One line per student. If you have more students than topics, repeat lines and those students share a topic. If you have more topics than students, drop the ones you like least.
- Add the instructions to the note. The due date, the format, and whether students may tell each other what they drew.
- Share the link in the class chat or show the QR code on the projector. Each student types their name and sees their topic.
You can fix a typo or swap a topic as often as you like until the first student joins. After that the list locks, so nobody's draw changes under them.
Seeing who got what
Your organiser page lists everyone who has joined and whether they have opened their topic. The reveal link on the same page shows the full list of names and topics — copy it into your markbook.
More than a topic: a briefing each
Each line can carry a private briefing of up to 600 characters that only the student who draws it sees: the reading link, the guiding question, the data set, or the angle you want them to take. Students with the same topic share the same briefing.
Other draws the same way
- Presentation order — lines of “Presenting 1st”, “Presenting 2nd” and so on.
- Debate sides — half the lines “For”, half “Against”.
- Group jobs — note taker, timekeeper, reporter, devil's advocate.
- Role-plays and mock trials — see classroom role-play and mock trials.
Splitting the class into groups rather than giving each student something different? The team picker does that.
FAQ
Can two students get the same topic?
Only if the topic is on the list twice. Each line is drawn by exactly one student.
How many students can draw from one list?
Up to 40. For a larger cohort, make one list per class.
What if a student is absent?
Their topic stays in the draw. Before anyone joins, delete the line; once the class has joined, leave it for them, or give it to someone else when they arrive.
Do students need to log in?
No. They open the link, type their name, and see their topic. There are no accounts and no email addresses.
Draw the topics
Open the role dealer, type one topic per line in the roles box, add a briefing to any that need one, and share the link. It is free, and it takes about a minute.