ClockAura

How to Embed a Timer in Canvas LMS

Open the Canvas page in edit mode, switch the Rich Content Editor to the HTML Editor, paste the iframe code from the ClockAura Embed Builder, switch back and save. Canvas removes scripts, so always use the Iframe code.

Steps

  1. In the Embed Builder, set up the timer and copy the code from the Iframe tab.
  2. In Canvas, open the Page, Assignment, Discussion or Quiz instructions and click Edit.
  3. In the Rich Content Editor, click the </> (HTML Editor) icon at the bottom right.
  4. Paste the code where you want the timer.
  5. Click the icon again to return to the normal view; you will see a placeholder or the timer.
  6. Click Save and open the page as a student (Student View) to check it.

Example iframe code for Canvas LMS

<div style="max-width:420px;margin:0 auto"><iframe src="https://clockaura.com/widget.html?type=timer&amp;m=15&amp;label=Warm-up" title="Warm-up – Timer" width="100%" height="260" style="display:block;border:0;border-radius:16px" loading="lazy" allow="fullscreen"></iframe><p style="margin:6px 0 0;text-align:center;font:13px/1.4 system-ui,sans-serif"><a href="https://clockaura.com/15-minute-timer">Timer by ClockAura</a></p></div>

Make your own version (type, time, colours, size) in the Embed Builder.

Good places for a timer in a course

  • Warm-up or bell-ringer pages: a 5 or 15-minute timer students start themselves.
  • Practice-quiz instructions: a stopwatch so students can see how long a section takes them.
  • Module overview: a countdown to the exam or project due date.
  • Group-work pages: a Pomodoro for study groups meeting online.

Privacy for schools

The widget collects nothing: no cookies, no storage, no analytics, no ads, and no student names or IDs. It only needs to load one file from clockaura.com.

Canvas embeds do not affect grading or quiz timing. For a timed quiz, Canvas’ own time limit still controls submission; the widget is a visible guide for students.

If the timer is blank

  • Your institution may limit which sites can be embedded. Ask your Canvas admin to allow https://clockaura.com.
  • Make sure you pasted into the HTML Editor, not the normal editor (which turns code into visible text).
  • If you copied the Script code, Canvas removed it. Use the Iframe tab instead.

Questions about Canvas LMS

Can I embed a timer in a Canvas quiz?

You can add one to the quiz instructions with the HTML Editor. It is a visual guide only; the quiz time limit you set in Canvas still decides when it closes.

Why does Canvas remove my embed code?

Canvas strips script tags for security. The Iframe code from the ClockAura builder contains no script and is kept.

Is the embedded timer FERPA-friendly?

The widget does not collect or store any personal information, cookies or analytics, so no student data reaches ClockAura through it.

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