Random Reporter is a best practice instructional strategy teachers can use to increase student discourse and improve student engagement. During Random Reporter a teacher first provides students with an opportunity to talk with a partner or group, then selects a student (or students) to share out to the whole class using a random method of selection. The teacher often uses popsicle sticks with the students’ names on them, but spinners, computer programs, and other methods may also be used.
Tips & Tricks
- Color Code: Color the tops of the sticks green and the bottoms red (or whatever 2 colors you choose). Start with all the sticks facing the same way, so all the tops are displaying the same color. Once you pull the stick of a student you can flip the stick so you know you have already called on him or her.
- Numbered Sticks: Especially at the secondary level, it may be hard to create sticks with every students’ name on it. Instead, assign numbers to your students in each section, then create popsicle sticks with just numbers.
- Nervous or Anxious Students: If you have nervous students who struggle to share their own thoughts, let them know it’s acceptable to share what their partner or group said instead.
- Wrong Answer or No Answer: Instead of moving on to another student for the answer, let the student you called on return to her partner or group to re-discuss and get an answer. By holding this student accountable for the answer you have communicated that you believe in her abilities and will not let her off the hook.
- Cooperative Teams: Assign groups of 4 the numbers 1-4 and the team a specific name or color. When you draw, call the color (or team name) and the number to select one student to answer, or call just a number and have that numbered student answer at each group.
Tools & Templates
- Random Name Generator Computer Program
- Using an iPad or iPhone? There’s an app for that!
Related Videos