How can you have a timer in Google Slides™? I can not tell you how many times I am asked this. I usually suggest to people to just do a timer in another tab… but that really isn’t what they wanted! NOW you can use Slides Timer for a Slides countdown timer.
Please, consider buying the developer a coffee. Encourage this former educator, ClayCodes, to keep making cool tools for us!
Install Slides Timer
Slides Timer allows to to add a simple text box to any slide to create a countdown timer.
Google Slides™ is a popular tool for educators and presenters, but one feature it’s historically lacked is an integrated timer. That’s where Clay Codes comes in, a former educator who has developed an innovative solution called “Slides Timer”. This tool has transformed the way we use Google Slides, especially in classroom and presentation settings.
Any Google Slides
Slides Timer makes it insanely easy to add a timer to any Google Slides. This works while you are in presentation mode.
Simply add a textbox.
Click on “Slideshow” to start the timer.
Add a Textbox
In any textbox, add the shortcode <<1:00>>
less than, less than, time, greater than, greater than. Thus, <<3:00>> puts a 3 minute timer on a slide. <<1:24>> is one minute and 24 seconds.
<<2:00>>
is a 2 minute Count DOWN timer
Let the Extension Do the Work
How do you use the extension? It just works. You never need to click on the Chrome Extension. You just need to have it installed. It starts to work when you are using Google Slides while presenting. It is that easy!
Note: this does not work when using “Publish to the web.”
Buy Clay a Coffee
If you are using Slides Timer and would like to thank Clay, consider buying him a coffee. If you click on the Chrome Extension icon, which is likely hidden under the puzzle piece in the extension shelf, you will see the button to thank Clay. This also displays helpful tips.
Slides Countdown Timer
The default is a Slides countdown timer. <<4:00>> will start at 4 minutes and count DOWN to zero.
Each Slide Can Have a Slides Timer
You can add a timer to each slide. Let’s say you are trying to pace out your presentation and that you want to spend about 1 minute on each slide. However, you want to include class discussion in your presentation. Post a prompt on a slide and indicate how long the students have to talk about the prompt with their partner or group.
The timer on each slide does not start until you are presenting that slide. If slide 5 has a 3 minute timer, the 3 minutes will not start until you are looking at slide 5.
Count UP Timer
While the most common application during a Google Slides presentation is a count DOWN timer, you may also want a Google Slides Count UP timer.
Simply add a plus sign to the time.
<<1:00+>> starts at 1 minute and counts UP!
What Time Is It?
If you are doing a Google Meet or Zoom and it is being recorded you may want to display the date or the time on the slides.
<<date>> shows the current date on the slide.
It is also helpful to be able to display the current time. Add <<time>> to a textbox in the upper right hand corner to display the time, including seconds, while presenting your Google Slides.
Auto Advance to the Next Slide
“You have 5 minutes to research this item and then we are moving on.”
You very likely might want to move onto the next slide after a certain amount of time.
<<5:00-+>> will go to the next slide after 5 minutes
Adding a minus after the time indicates count DOWN. Putting a plus sign after the minus says to advance to the next slide. If you want to go to the previous slide use <<5:00–>>
Enhancing Teaching with Slides Timer: Practical Examples
Slides Timer is not just a tool; it’s a facilitator for dynamic and engaging teaching. Here are some practical examples of how educators can use a countdown timer to enhance their teaching methods:
Interactive Classroom Discussions
Imagine you’re discussing a complex topic like climate change. Set a timer for each slide to ensure that all aspects of the topic are covered within the allotted time. For instance, set `<<3:00>>` on a slide posing a question about greenhouse gases, giving students three minutes to discuss. This method encourages participation and keeps the class on track.
Group Activities with Slides Timer
During group activities, timing is crucial. Let’s say students are working on a group project about historical events. On each slide detailing a specific event, add a timer, like `<<5:00>>`, to regulate the time spent on each aspect of the project. This helps maintain a steady pace and ensures equal attention to all parts of the project.
Pacing Presentations
When students are giving presentations, time management can be a challenge. Teach them to use the extension for their own presentations. They can add `<<1:00>>` to each of their slides, training them to succinctly convey their message and adhere to time constraints, a vital skill in both academic and professional settings.
Timed Quizzes and Tests
Conduct timed quizzes in class. Each question can be on a separate slide with a timer, like `<<2:00>>`, giving students a fixed time to answer. This not only adds an element of challenge but also prepares students for time-managed exams.
Break Time Management
For younger students, incorporate break or activity times into your presentation. Set a `<<10:00>>` timer for a mid-class break or a physical activity session. This helps in maintaining a healthy balance of learning and leisure, keeping students engaged and refreshed.
Reflection and Feedback Sessions
At the end of a lesson, use a timer to allocate time for reflection or feedback. A slide with `<<2:00>>` can prompt students to think about what they’ve learned or to provide feedback on the session. This encourages students to consolidate their learning and gives them a voice in the classroom.
Remote Teaching Applications
For educators teaching remotely, Slides Timer can be a lifesaver. Use `<<date>>` and `<<time>>` shortcodes to display the current date and time, ensuring students are aware of the session’s timing. This feature is especially helpful in recorded sessions, providing a reference point for students watching the session asynchronously.
