Cool Tech Tool: Class Timers

Class Timers Keeping students on task and helping them manage time can be a challenge. A classroom timer is a great tool to keep your planned activities on schedule. Display the timer with a LCD projector and the whole class will know how much time remains to complete the activity.

The two timers listed below are free and easy to use. ScreenTimer fills the entire screen for a quick and easy countdown. [screenshot] The drawback? If, for example, you have directions for an activity displayed on a PowerPoint slide, ScreenTimer will cover the entire slide. In this case, a better timer might be Cool Timer. It gives you the option to choose a large or small timer that will "float" over the slide. [screenshot]

To try this Cool Tech Tool, follow the steps below:

1. Download ScreenTimer or CoolTimer
2. Save to the desktop
3. Double-click "setup" or "ctimer"
4. Follow the install steps

The timer should now be loaded on your computer. In the lower-left corner, click...

1. Start
2. Select "Programs"
3. Click "Screen Timer" or "Cool Timer"