ASchool.us Random Student Selector Update

Just got through adding two new features to the Random selectors are of ASchool.us/random. I added a menu so that you can easily see what other random script options are available. I also added a feature where you can save the list that you typed to your browser using the HTML5 local storage feature. This means that you list of names is save to the local browser and will persist across sessions, while nothing is saved on the server. Rebooting or closing your browser is not a problem. Your list will still be there if you want to use it, but you do not have to.

For all your random needs

I just finished adding a new random feature to the list of programs that are available at aschool.us
For your convenience here is a description to each of the random programs that are currently available:

• Random Student Selector
  Given a list of names it will randomly select a name. You can continue to select names as long as you want. The program will attempt to favor names that haven't been picked but repeats can occur.
  
• Random Student Selector Flash
  This is a flash based version of the previous program. One advantage of this version is that names can be added while selecting names. This can be an advantage for students that come in late.
  
• Random Group Generator
  The random group generator can divide up students into a specific number of groups or specific sizes of groups. You have the option of either maximizing the group size or attempting to keep them balanced.
  
• Random Group Mixer
  The random group mixer takes two lists of names and pairs names in each group together. If one group is larger than the other then some pairs will include more than two names.

Random Group Generator Update

This morning I was able to finish an update for the Random Group Generator. Now you can choose to divide the groups based on the number of groups you want or the maximum size of each group.

First select the mode, then enter the size larger than 1. If you selected max group size then you have the choice between two modes: maximum group size and balanced group size.

The maximum mode makes sure that every group is filed to capacity before filling the next group.  For example if you have 16 students and wanted a maximum of 6 students per group. There would be 2 groups of 6 and 1 groups of 4.

The balanced mode makes sure that the group size fairly equal in size. For example if you have 16 students and wanted a maximum of 6 students per group. There would be 1 group of 6 and 2 groups of 5.

New Random Group Generator

I just finished creating a new script that allows you to create random groups of students with the new Random Group Generator.

I received the idea from someone that made a donation through my random student selector script.

Thanks Susan for the idea.

New Random Student Selector

I created a new Random Student Selector that is based on Flash instead of server scripting. This should allow the random selections to work faster and reduce the load on my server, providing you with better service. The program works using the same logic as the server scripted version with the added benefit that if a student comes in late you can add their name to the list. They will be entered into the list of selectable names as though they had just answer the last question before they entered the classroom.

It appears that the server scripted version has been very popular. Since I don't particularly care to have advertising when I am using a web page in my classroom I'm going to try an experiment and see if people will donate to keep the ad's off this page.

Random Student Selector

I my Algebra I class the other day I was using the Quizdom pick option to select my students to answer questions, during the class period 2 of my 11 students were selected 3 times while 2 others were not selected at all. Out of about 10 questions this wasn't very even percentages. One of the students Nathan J., who is also one of my computer programming students, and I were discussion this. We came up with a way to decrease the likelihood that someone would be selected once they have been selected. We chose this because if you eliminate the student until all have been selected the student will then mentally check out. With our solution the student can still be selected but the likelihood of them being selected twice in a row is reduced. Given enough time the Quizdom solution would be fine but if you are only asking 10 questions it is important that the student selection should be random and balanced. You can check out our free implementation of the student selector at http://www.aschool.us/moodle-scripts/

With this online implementation you simply enter a list of names, one per line. Go to the next page and start selecting students. Simply refreshing the page will select a new students name. The names are written in a large font so that it can be used in class.

An option that I have thought of adding would be to create a random list of the names so that it could printed to be used away from the computer and would still have the randomness for the students. If you are interested in this option please leave a comment. Since I have access to the Internet in my classroom I don't see this as a necessary feature for myself but if someone else would use it I could easily add it.