What makes an activity projector-friendly?
A projector-friendly activity remains understandable from the back of the room. It needs large labels, high contrast, a simple state change, and a facilitator who explains what will happen before triggering it. Fine controls belong on the facilitator’s screen, not at the center of the shared display.
Projectors often reduce contrast and wash out subtle colors. Test the actual room when possible, avoid relying on color alone, and dim competing windows or notifications. Presentation Mode should remove setup distractions while preserving a visible Winner and next action.
Five activities that work on a shared screen
The best shared-screen activities have a result the entire group can understand at once: choose a speaker, order teams, select a prompt, assign a role, or run a short elimination Race.
Choose the next speaker
Use no-repeat selection and allow a pass. Give thinking time before making the Selection.
Set a presentation order
Select team labels one by one and record the order where everyone can see it.
Pick a discussion prompt
Keep every prompt suitable for the whole group so any result is immediately usable.
Assign rotating roles
Use role names as Entries, then remove selected roles until the group has a full set.
Run an elimination Race
Use team or option labels, explain that Entries will be removed progressively, and keep the round low stakes.
A reliable setup sequence
Set up privately, check readability, explain the rules, run one short round, and close the result clearly. This sequence works for classrooms, meetings, workshops, and community events.
- Prepare the Entry list before sharing your screen. Close messages, tabs, and notifications that should remain private.
- Stand at the back of the room and check whether the longest Entry and status text are readable.
- State eligibility, repeats, passes, and the meaning of the Winner in plain language.
- Run a practice Selection when the group is unfamiliar with the format.
- After the real Selection, repeat the Winner aloud and say what happens next.
Protect attention and privacy
Show only information the group needs for the activity. Avoid email addresses, account identifiers, performance notes, or other sensitive details. When names are unnecessary, use teams, topics, roles, or numbered labels instead.
Randomly keeps Entries in the browser by default. A Shared Setup carries configuration in the URL fragment so the server does not receive its Entries, but anyone who receives that complete URL can still read the shared configuration. Share deliberately and review the privacy guidance for your context.
When not to use a projected random Tool
Do not project a random Selection when the outcome could expose private information, embarrass someone, decide a high-stakes entitlement, or replace a safety or professional judgment. Choose a quieter or documented process instead.
Related Randomly guidance
Read how Randomly handles fairness and browser randomness, review the privacy approach, or choose a practical starting point from the Template library.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What screen size works best for a classroom randomizer?
There is no universal size because room depth and projector brightness vary. Use Presentation Mode, test the longest Entry from the back row, and increase browser zoom if any essential text is difficult to read.
Should setup controls remain visible on the projector?
Usually not during the activity. Prepare and verify the list first, then use a distraction-reduced display so the group sees the current state, the primary action, and the Winner.
Which is better on a projector: a Wheel or a Race?
Use the Wheel for one clear Selection. Use the Race when progressive elimination is part of the activity and the group can follow the remaining Entries. Both should be kept low stakes and explained first.