But a countdown timer set up for the morning also gives students a chance to get over their excitement at seeing their friends for the first time in, oh, 15 hours, get settled, and know exactly when they need to be heads up, eyes on you. You’ve got a lot to do when your class is slowly straggling into the room in the morning, and bell-ringer activities plus a strong morning routine can help your classroom management. With this in mind, they’re valuable tools to add to your classroom management toolkit! How Are Timers Used in the Classroom? Start Off the Morning

Most of the time, they’re counting down to help keep students on track or help teachers allocate time effectively. Typically, a classroom timer is not necessarily counting up (although it can be!). Then again, it can be a piece of software or video like the timers below that will count down the time as students complete a task or transition between two activities. BUT, when it comes to a tool that’s tracking time in the classroom, there are some distinct features that set this type of timer apart.įor starters, classroom timers can be a regular clock with a countdown feature or an old-school sand timer. We know you know exactly what we’re talking about. Bonus: These are all digital timers for the classroom, so you don’t have to do much more than click “play!” Intrigued? Let’s dive into some of our favourite ways to put this simple tool to work! What Is a Classroom Timer? With that in mind, the teachers on the Teach Starter team have created some classroom timers that are available with a premium Teach Starter subscription and are perfect for teachers. There’s plenty of evidence that turning on a timer in your classroom can have benefits for your students - from helping them stay focused to helping you pace your lessons. As education continues to evolve with technology, such simple tools become indispensable in creating an engaging and productive learning experience.Are you using a classroom timer? If not, do you have a minute to talk? (We promise we won’t time you). They assist in imposing structure while remaining flexible to the needs of each class session. In conclusion, free online digital timers are versatile tools that complement various classroom environments and teaching methodologies. And because they are free, schools do not have to allocate additional budgets for purchasing physical timer devices. For instance, teachers can start each class with a 5-minute timer for settling in and preparing materials, signaling to students that it’s time to concentrate once the timer ends.Īdditionally, these digital tools often come with features such as stopwatches and lap timers, useful for scientific experiments or physical education activities. Using free online digital timers also helps in establishing routines. There are even customizable timers where teachers can set specific time intervals for structured activities like reading sessions, group discussions, or tests. For example, some have alarm sounds that signal the end of a countdown, while others provide visual cues such as a color change. They can be projected on an interactive whiteboard or displayed on a screen so that all students can keep track of the countdown during activities.ĭifferent types of online timers cater to various educational needs. Moreover, these timers are easily accessible and require no additional software installations, making them a convenient resource for any classroom with internet access. It also adds an element of gamification to learning, which can motivate students to complete their tasks more quickly. By setting a timer for specific tasks or assessments, teachers can encourage students to stay focused and manage their time effectively. These timers offer a variety of functions that are beneficial for both teachers and students.įirstly, online digital timers can help manage classroom activities efficiently. One simple yet effective tool is the use of free online digital timers. In today’s digital age, it is essential for educators to integrate technology into the classroom to enhance learning and classroom management.

Online timer clock for classroom