Classes
Key
SortDrag ⋮⋮ or use the arrows to reorder. Order sets the number keys while you track (1–9, then 0). Credit adds to each student's points for every turn with that tag.
New discussion
Saved discussions
Turns across discussions
Arrange
Goals
Students at the most get a double ring on the web.
Who's here
Selected turn
Not yet
Turns
Playback
Turns
Quick start
Run a discussion, map it, and debrief it in six steps. Want to see a finished one first?
- Add a class. In Classes, click New class and paste your roster, one name per line, or import a CSV. "Last, First" works too.
- Create a discussion. In Discussions, pick the class, give it a title and the opening question. Seats copy from the class's last discussion.
- Set the seats. Drag names to match the room, or drop one on another to swap. Uncheck anyone absent. Set speaking goals (at least and at most) and a target length. Turn on the teacher seat to log when you step in.
- Track. Tap whoever speaks. The clock starts on the first tap and a line draws from the last speaker. Mark the turn with a tag (question, text reference, interrupts…) using the buttons or number keys, and add a note or quote if you want. Tapped the wrong name? Undo.
- Finish and read the report. Finish stops the clock and opens the report: length, turns, who spoke, top 3 share, moves, each student's turns and tags, and a comparison with last time. Download the report, the CSVs, or print.
- Debrief with the time lapse. Play the web forming on the board, step turn by turn, or save it as a video. The report lists debrief questions.
Keys
| 1–9, 0 | Toggle a tag on the selected turn |
| Space | Start or pause the clock (Track), play or pause (Time lapse) |
| ← → | Step one turn (Time lapse) |
| ⌘ Z | Undo (Track and Seats) |
| ⌘ S | Save now |
Saving
Everything saves in this browser as you go. On a computer with Chrome or Edge, click Save into file once and pick spider-web.html. After that, every change saves into the file itself, so it opens with your classes on any computer.
For a copy to keep, use Save & options → Download backup. Restore it from the same menu.
Tips
- Tag only what you'll talk about in the debrief. Two or three tags are plenty to start.
- Change the tags, their order, and their point credit in Key. Print the key for students.
- Turn on Full screen in Track to project the web as it forms.
- Names show as first name and last initial. Change that, the name size, and the line style in Save & options.
- The Discussions tab shows each student's turns across every discussion for the class.
About spider web discussions
Students sit in a circle and run the discussion themselves while the teacher stays quiet and maps it. Every time someone speaks, a line goes from the last speaker to them, and the lines build a web. Afterward, the class looks at the web together: who talked, who didn't, and what helped.
The method comes from Alexis Wiggins, The Best Class You Never Taught (ASCD, 2017).