What is it? A deceptively simple random name selector which chooses students' names at random from a classlist. It can be used with any class-size, can be used repeatedly (in other words, it chooses a different student each time) and it has a hidden secret... … it isn't, in fact, entirely random. You can choose which students are statistically more likely to be chosen. Sneaky, eh?

You need... A classlist – in the right format A teacher's PC which connects to a projector A Windows operating system, or one capable of running Windows exe programs; a Flash player. This software should work in 95% of UK secondary schools, but ask your technical support team BEFORE you spend too much time on it...

Downloading: 10 Minutes You need to download three files from the TM4T website, here (copy and paste this into your web browsers address bar): https://sites.google.com/site/timemanagement4teachers/time-management-for-NQTs/tm4t-nqt---starters/tm4t-nqt---land-of-a-100-starters/tm4t-nqt-software-downloads Put all three files in the same folder; name the folder something crazy like Random Name Chooser. It's best to keep your Random Name Chooser folder on a memory stick (flash drive) so you can carry it round.

Setting Up1: 2 Minutes You should have downloaded two files in addition to this one: one called Example-Classroom, the other called RandomFS. The first thing you should do is to copy and paste the Example-Classroom file and create another file - rename this fourth file Classroom. This is important because you must have a file called Classroom. The Example-Classroom file is pre-loaded with some example students, and it is in exactly the correct format so the software works; so: if you ever mess up the format of the Classroom file, you can just do the copy-rename trick again to make a new Classroom file. For the name chooser to work, you must have a file called Classroom, it must be in the same folder as the RandomFS file, and it must be in the correct format.

Setting Up2: 5 Minutes Key your names into the classroom file. Advice: a) It is obviously much quicker to enter only first names, or nicknames; for example 'Jo' or 'Jo M' rather than 'Josephine Millington' b) Take care not to overtype any of the formatting marks (the </> characters). If you do this the software won't work. c) The program is not entirely random. Students in the MIDDLE of the list are more likely to be chosen. For a 30-student class this is undetectable, but the statistical imbalance may be noticeable if used repeatedly in a class-size less than ten.

Use This software is very simple and very easy to use. Double-click the RandomFS file to run the program, then click on the L button to load the students. Click N as many times as you want to choose a new student's name. Click R to reset the class-list (ie start again) Click X to exit

How it Works Part 2 You can of course use the Random Name chooser for anything: who answers the next question, which order to give performances etc... You can, if necessary, have two Random Name choosers in operation at the same time. If you want to use your Random Name chooser over a number of weeks (for example, who is class monitor this week), copy the whole Random Name folder, and delete names from the classlist each week so they are not chosen again.

Efficient Working Preparing a classlist can take 3-5 minutes, which means it isn't an efficient activity to develop and prepare during Term-time. The best way to use this tool is to create classlists before term starts, using administrative support staff if they are available. STOP PRESS: Actually, no, I lie. The best and easiest way to use this tool is to get some naughty students to key in all the names for you - as a sanction....

In emergencies... You can download the software again from https://sites.google.com/site/timemanagement4teachers/time-management-for-NQTs/tm4t-nqt---starters/tm4t-nqt---land-of-a-100-starters/tm4t-nqt-software-downloads