How to rig a wheel of names (and why to avoid it!)

Updated: January 15, 2026

Digital wheels of names are typically designed to be random and transparent, and rigging them undermines student trust. Some tools let you change how many times the wheel can land on the same entry, or let you decide whether chosen entries are removed, but these features manage participation rather than secretly forcing an outcome. Intentionally biasing the wheel toward particular students or results can be seen as unfair or manipulative, damaging classroom relationships. A better approach is to be explicit about any structure you add: for example, create separate wheels by group, or preload the wheel only with students or tasks that truly are eligible for selection at that time.