SpeakerClock

$1.99, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Teaches: time, clocks, a teacher utility

CTR Review

Turn your iPad into a countdown timer that resembles the same timer used during TED talks. This is also the timer we use for all Dust or Magic events. The giant red LCD-looking numbers are set in a black background, and they count down from any setting (the highest amount of time is 99 minutes). To set the clock, you drag your finger across the screen. Once you have the time you want, you tap the screen to start the countdown. When the clock gets to the last minute, the background color starts to quietly flash. There is no sound -- this is a completely silent timer. Students could use this tool to help them stay on task; and a teacher could use it to time games or tests, or to keep students on task. The advantage to this timer is that the numbers are large and easy to see -- even from the back of the room. The app also runs on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Keep it on your podium to stay on task. Note that there is a countdown timer built into iOS that is very good (with an audio and haptic alarm). You can set it with Siri.