15 Minute Timer
Fifteen minutes gives groups time to get stuck into a task: a lab activity, a project stage or a longer piece of writing. Show it full screen so groups can manage their own time.
How to use it
- The timer is already set to 15 minutes. Press Start or the Space bar to begin, and Space again to pause.
- Press Present (or F) to show it full screen. Pick Pie, Bar or Digits, and choose an end sound.
- When time is up you'll hear the chime and see "Time's up!". Press Start again for another round, or +1 min if the class needs longer.
Ways to use a 15 minute timer in class
- Group project stage: research, plan or build, then share what you have.
- Science practical: set up, test and record before clearing away.
- Extended writing: a draft paragraph or a short story opening.
Other timer lengths
Questions teachers ask
How do I help groups manage fifteen minutes well?
Tell groups to check the board at the halfway point. The pie shows half gone at a glance, and the one-minute warning gives them time to wrap up.
Can I pause the timer if I need to stop the class?
Yes. Press Pause or the Space bar. The time left is kept exactly, and Resume continues from where you stopped.
Does the timer keep going if I switch tabs or my laptop is busy?
Yes. The timer works from the clock, not by counting ticks, so it stays exact if you switch to your slides or another tab. The end sound still plays when time is up.
Will my screen go to sleep while the timer runs?
In most browsers, no. While a timer is running the page asks the device to keep the screen on, and lets it sleep again when you pause or the time is up.
Can students see it from the back of the room?
Press Present (or the F key) for a full-screen timer with huge digits. Choose Digits for the largest numbers, or Pie for a shape younger students can read without telling the time.