I’ve been holding onto this one for a few months now, because of how ashamed I am to admit that I have difficulty keeping track of time throughout the class period. It’s not that I’m bad with my time management, but I have a tendency to get so into a lesson on activity that I forget about the clock completely. The website I’ve been using to help stay on track isn’t a huge step in technological integration, and it barely registers a level 1 on my technology integration scale.
Online-Stopwatch.com has been my time-keeping, flash-powered lifeboat since late December after becoming completely frustrated with older, java-powered online stopwatches. Many teachers use timers in their classes to manage time, and I’ve seen egg timers, digital timers, and even a few talking timers. I’ve gone through my fair share of cheap digital timers from the School Specialty catalog (they should ship them by the dozen as often as they break), so I wanted something I could use on my computer, and display with my projector so the students and I could have a visual reminder without having to walk over to my computer.
Thankfully, the Online-Stopwatch meets my needs and then some. With a no frills approach to the timer, you’re given the simple choice of “Stop Watch” or “Count Down”, followed by the time limit for counting down (if you so choose that option). After punching in my time limit with the nice big buttons, which is surprisingly easy to do even with a wireless presenter’s mouse, I can click start and forget about losing track of time. There’s a pleasant little ring at the end of the count down, so I know when it’s time to restart the timer (for typing practice), or have the kids get ready to go.
As I said, very low on the integration scale, but the Online-Stopwatch scores big when it comes to productivity tools that just simply work, work well, and save you from buying batteries and/or replacements for those old fashioned “meat space” timers.
RSS - Posts
I said more than once today…I need an alarm clock for keeping the classes moving in and out of the labs as scheduled. Your posting was meant for me! Thanks! I will give this a try. Diane
I love it. I have been using another one but this one is a lot easier to use. I agree with you, I don’t know how the day slips by so quickly but if I am not careful its over before I know it.
🙂
Here is the one I was using. I like the one you suggested better but you might like this one.
jim
http://www.timeme.com/timer.htm
Diane: I’m always thinking about you when I post this stuff, didn’t you know? 🙂
Jim: Thanks for the link. I can see how that would be appealing, with the nice big numbers. It seemed easy enough to setup, but I think the fact that you have to visit another page to setup the time limit, and then save those preferences is a bit of a bother. OH, wait, I just realized that it saves the time for you, even if you reload the page; a nice little feature. I’ll have to play with both to see which I prefer.
Uh, hmmm, I was late with three classes just yesterday. Thanks for a “timely” tip! 🙂
There is a great Microsoft add-on called “Zoomit” that allows you to have a full screen countdown clock, as well as on screen annotation and zooming funtions. I highly recommend this program! Just search “Zoomit” on any search engine.
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to
be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know
about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as
well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks