Playing chess? Grading papers? Taking turns with a toy while fighting with a sibling? Engaged in some repetitive task where you need to repeatedly time yourself to stay on track?
I *could* do this on my phone, but that takes many clicks / movements, AND then my phone would be out and I might get distracted from my task. So I built this little program.
Download RepeatTimer.m5f
Usage Instructions:
- Set the variable “TimePeriod” for the number of seconds you want each round to be. Run the program.
- Hit ‘A” to reset the timer
- Hit ‘B’ to pause.
- The beep tells you to move on to the next task / turn / move! (Hit A to reset)
Programming concepts used here:
- A “logical” (aka Boolean) variable “pause” – this can either be true or false; and can be changed by pressing B.
- A numerical variable “seconds” – this contains the number of seconds remaining in the current cycle.
- A “Repeat While” loop – this will run as long as the condition (seconds > 0) is met, and keep the countdown going! Once the condition is NOT met, it will trigger the annoying beep and screen colour change.
- An “If-Else” statement – this block will run as long as the condition (pause = false) is met
- Uses the speaker! Note that the volume is setup to 90. For some reason, setting it to 100 gives me no sound at all…
Challenge
Look up the Pomodoro technique as it applies to studying; and make yourselves a Pomodoro timer with the m5stick. Your projects will thank you!
