12.06.19

Using Green Screen to Creatively Demonstrate Learning

"I love the videos of Ms. Barber for Mission Possible and the ones used to promote student council elections. The backgrounds were so cool! How do we create green screen images and videos?"

Here are 4 ways to create green screen photos or videos. Give them a try and choose the best one for you and your students.

image by @MrsGeekChic

What is a green screen?

Did you know that green screens are used to create all kinds of effects in photos and movies? But, what is a green screen and how is it used? A photo or video is filmed in front of a green screen and the color green is keyed out (removed), making it transparent. Then, an image, like a building or weather map, is added. This technology allows people and objects to appear in front of any virtual backgrounds. Any green item, from green paper to green cloth to green walls to green playdough, works as a green screen background. (We have green screen cloth in the Tech closet.)

Make sure to check out the Do Ink Pinterest page for a plethora of ideas for using green screen in the classroom. Ideas include:

  • News, Sports, and Weather reports
  • Stop Motion videos with Legos or Claymation
  • Puppet stations - This is great for readers theater. Attach puppets to green sticks, place in front of a green background and narrate the story or idea.
  • Photo booths, books covers, and slideshows
  • Interactive writings
  • Bringing school work to life

📱 Use Do Ink Green Screen app

One of the most popular green screen video and photo creation tools is Green Screen by DoInk. Recently updated, this tool is packed with easy to use features that will assist you and your students in designing creative images and videos.

Check out the reference sheets and resources below.

[Do Ink Green Screen is currently installed on the Elective, Innovation, and Media iPads. You are welcome to use these iPads in your classrooms, as needed.]

Green+Screen+Photo.pdf

How to create a Green Screen Photo

Green Screen - Floating Bubble

Do Ink - Intro to the Prop Library

Green+Screen+Video.pdf

How to Create a Green Screen Video

Live+Camera.pdf

How to Create Live Camera Projects

How to Improve Green Screen images

📱 Use MuseMage app

MuseMage is a robust video making tool. It has a built in Blue Screen tool. Just like a green screen tool, use Blue Screen to replace any background into funny picture, or video of your choice. Spin the dial to locate the Blue Screen option.

Check out the video to preview the Blue Screen tool and others (image stabilization, stop motion, etc.) that are part of MuseMage.

[Musemage is currently installed on all iPads.]

📱 Use iMovie app (New for 2019)

Finally, you can now use the iMovie app to create green screen videos. With that said, I find it easier to use one of the apps above for creating my videos. However, check out the tutorial video and see if this new feature in iMovie works best for you and your students.

[iMovie is currently installed on all iPads.]

💻These Green Screen companions will help you create green screen images using a Chromebook (or an iPad).

Students can remove the background from images. They can then add the images to Google Slides, Google Draw, and other tools to create imaginative images and presentations.

Another tip: You can have students search for images that have a transparent background or add the filename png to search for those images.

Image & Video tools curated on Bugg website - These are Creative Commons resources that students can use.

Remove.bg (great for people)

Photo Scissors (great for objects)


Where's the username and password for Big Universe, NearPod, generic emails, staff iPads, etc.

Please see the Bugg Online Resources spreadsheet located in the Bugg 19-20 > Digital Learning folder. There you will find the username and password for these items and many more. This spreadsheet is regularly updated as WCPSS moves most of our software to single sign-on through the WakeID portal. However, there are still some items that require an additional username and password.