Technology @ High Point, vol. 15

Tech for teaching and learning in our new space

Fill Your Toolbox!

Well-implemented technology gives classroom staff loads of tools for teaching students with a broad range of learning styles. The time investment in learning new technology will make teaching easier and assist students in advocating for their life-long learning. This newsletter PD is intended to help you learn new technologies at High Point a little bit at a time, slowly filling up your teaching toolbox throughout this chaotic school year.

This Week's Tech Feature:

Time Timer

The passage of time is an abstract concept that is very difficult for many people to understand. The Time Timer is a large analog timer that shows how much time is left with a red disk that slowly disappears as the time runs out. It is used to help students learn about time, time management and allows them independence in managing transitions. The timer does not have a ticking sound. The audible alarm can be turned on or off. The red disk steadily disappears until time has expired. There is no second hand. It can be set for times up to one hour. You can use Time Timer products to:

Promote efficient use of time
Master the concept of time
Encourage autonomy and independence
Achieve better time management
See elapsed time in a sound-sensitive environment
Time repetitive patterns or actions
Time exercises, teaching sessions, meetings, homework, duration drills, tests and any other timed activity

12" Time Timer

Who is it for?

The Time Timer is a great tool for:

Students who have difficulty with transition times.
Students who have difficulty seeing a classroom clock or watch and need larger, bolder text with high contrast color to monitor remaining time.
Students who need help with time management.

There is ample research demonstrating the benefits of timer usage for children and adults.

Setup Instructions

This timer is extremely simple to setup and use. Be sure there are 2 AA batteries in the clock. You can use the magnets on the back to stick the timer to the classroom whiteboard or refrigerator. You can pop out the two legs on the back so it will stand on a table on its own or you can use the hole in the back to hang it on a nail. Set the red slider switch on the back of the clock to have an audible alarm when the time runs out or not. Rotate the black hand in the center of the dial to the time needed. It will automatically start counting down the time.

There is a narrow slot in the top of the Time Timer to place a card with the timed activity. A small whiteboard card came with the Time Timer for you to write on and place here, or you can create your own cards with printed icons and/or words.

Maintenance

The Time Timer can be cleaned with disinfecting wipes.

If the timer stops working, try replacing the 2 AA batteries in the back. The batteries should last for quite a while.

Ideas for Using This Tech in the Classroom

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Fractions

Use the red circle of the Time Timer to demonstrate fractions so students can see that 15 minutes is one quarter of a full hour and 4 sets of 15 minutes equals one full hour.

(multiplying fractions).

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First Then

Create icons to place in the slot on top of the Time Timer to show students that they must first do the thing on the first card before the timer expires, then they may do the thing on the second card. You can create these icons in Boardmaker or LessonPix.

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Turn Taking

Students can take turns doing a preferred activity. Place each student's name on a sticky note or write right on the face of the Time Timer with a dry erase marker at the intervals desired. Set the timer for a time beyond the last student's name. They must allow the next students to take over the activity when their name is reached.

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