How to Split a Class into Random Groups

To split a class into random groups, paste your roster, then choose either the number of groups or the number of people per group. The Random Group Generator divides everyone evenly and at random, and you can reshuffle in a click if a grouping does not work. The result goes on the projector while your list stays on your own screen.

Choose your rule: number of groups, or group size

There are two ways to say what you want, and they answer different questions. Pick a number of groups when the constraint is stations or tables — four corners, six lab benches. Pick a group size when the constraint is the activity — pairs for peer review, threes for a jigsaw. The tool does the division either way and spreads any remainder so you never end up with a group of one.

Reshuffle when a grouping will not work

Random is fair, but every teacher knows the two names that cannot be in the same group this week. When that comes up, reshuffle — it is one click, and because it is visibly random, no student reads it as you picking. A fresh draw is faster and less loaded than quietly moving people around.

Put it on the projector, keep the list to yourself

The groups are meant to be read from across the room, so they go up large on the projector while the controls — your roster, the reshuffle button — stay on your screen. The class sees the assignments; your class list does not have to be on display to do it.

Nothing to install

It runs in the browser, so there is nothing to set up on a shared or locked-down classroom machine. Open it, paste, project.

How do you make balanced random groups?

Balanced means two things at once: random assignment, and even sizes. A quick manual shuffle usually gets one at the expense of the other — you either count off in a fixed order, which is not random, or you group friends, which is not balanced. Letting the tool assign at random and distribute the remainder gives you both, and lets you reshuffle until a draw works for the room.