I'm terrible at elapsed time.

If you asked my kids how long a minute is they would have two versions. One is how long an actual minute takes and the other is how long Papa thinks a minute lasts. These two are wildly different. Does this sound like you?

I'll tell them that we are leaving in one minute and that could mean thirty seconds or a full five minutes. Same thing happened to me in the classroom, time kinda dissolves into the unknown.

I recently found a Chrome extension that would have helped me better manage classroom time. As a bonus, check out the YouTube timer trick below.

Chrome
Check out the Timer Chrome extension for a super fast timer and easy to use timer.

I set up a five second timer. When time runs out a YouTube video appeared and plays a series of chimes. Pretty cool.

Getting Started
Install the extension.

1. Click the Apps icon in the upper left corner of Chrome.

2. Click Timer to launch the site.

You can quickly create all types of fast timers.

YouTube

I searched for a five minute timer on YouTube and come up with all kinds of video based timers.

Comments

Who is emailing me? The Blue Man Group??? (Add an image to your Google account.)

WHY It is always nice to put a face with a name. Sometimes we need a tiny little reminder of what someone looks like because we don't see them very often. Follow these steps to add/change the image associated with your Google account. HOW Open your email. Click your image. It might just be a blue circle if you have not added something already. Click Change . Find an image you like. Your amazing new image will appear. From now on everyone can put a name to a face!

Embed an audio clip into a Google Form!

Are you looking to embed an audio clip into a Google Form? Below you will find a list of things you will need ready and a video to walk you through the process. Needed: A single PowerPoint slide. Movie Maker. (Already on your computer.) A Google Form. Watch this video for the steps to follow.

Setting Your Gmail Away Message

You will be away from your classroom for a bit and probably won't be checking email on a regular basis. Wouldn't it be nice to have Gmail respond for you alerting whoever is emailing that you out enjoying your summer? Setting up your vacation responder is pretty simple, a few clicks and a save. Start by clicking the gear icon in the upper right corner of Gmail. Scroll way down the page. Look for the vacation responder section. 1. Click to turn the responder on. 2. Add your first and last days away. We would recommend adding something short and to the point for the subject line. 3. Whatever you add here will be the body of the email you are automatically sending out. It would be a good idea to tell them when you are planning on returning and who to call if they need immediate assistance. We also recommend not checking the two buttons at the bottom. 4. Save changes . That is it. Now your inbox will automatically alert people that you are not in your...

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