ISCI 761: Blog Share: Green Screen Tech (Week 11)

Photo: A library with a green screen area. Sourced from https://www.isd194.org/lme/media-center

    Makerspaces can come in many different shapes and sizes and offer a variety of experiences. One concept that is new to me is the idea of using green screen technology in the makerspace. As seen in the lecture video by Dr. Moorefield-Lang, desktop-sized green screens can be made for students to use for puppet shows (2021). Through this activity, students could use the makerspace to create the puppets and props, write the script, and then record and edit the video. Makerspaces also do not have to be filled with the latest and greatest tech to provide a meaningful experience for users. If having a low budget is a concern, you can use random low-cost items that will still spark interest and creativity in the minds of young users (Fontichiaro, 2019). Therefore, using paper that the school most likely already has or recycled pizza boxes are great low-cost ideas that will still bring joy and engagement to your green screen makerspace.  

    Tamiko Brown’s blog titled Makerspace Library also features a post about green screen use for broadcasting. This post was short and sweet, but able to briefly share what she and her students have been doing with green screens in her library. Based on the student's current experiences with programs like Flipgrid, Movie Maker, and stop motion work with Stickbot, she decided they were ready to try creating Zoom video broadcasts with the students being featured on the green screen. She was able to easily make a green screen by stapling large green bulletin paper to the wall. The students were also able to engage in a journalism club that encompasses presentation and writing skills in addition to the tech skills being developed through the video broadcasting process. I do wish that there was an update on how the green screen projects are going, or if they were able to try any other project ideas using this green screen, but unfortunately, this post has not been updated since November 2019. However, this concept still interests me as a component that I would like to add to my own library or classroom makerspace.

Photo: Students using a pizza box sized green screen with paper puppets and a script. Sourced from https://learningcollaboratory.com/2019/02/07/bringing-learning-to-life-with-green-screen/

                 Video creation and streaming are currently very popular with kids of all ages; therefore, green screen activities will be interesting and engaging while also giving them an outlet to practice a variety of skills in a fun and safe educational setting. The Makerspace Playbook School Edition recommends utilizing video creation as a way to document learning or to share the progress you have made with creations in the makerspace (Maker Media, 2013). The use of video is also suggested as a means for digital storytelling, which could be done using a green screen in the library setting as a way to draw in literature connections to their work (Maker Media, 2013). Nowadays, there are many options for both the hardware to record videos and the software to edit them with. A video camera, a cell phone, or a Chromebook could be used to create the recording. It can then be edited using whichever app or website best fits the needs of your school. Since green screens can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes at low cost, I would definitely recommend adding a green screen area to your library makerspace. For more information about green screen use in your library makerspace and other great tips, visit Tamiko Brown’s Makerspace Library blog. The Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center also has a great example of a green screen studio with a bit more high-tech.    


References 

Brown, T. (2019, November 12). Makerspace leads to broadcasting. Makerspace Library. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from http://makerspacelibrary.blogspot.com/2019/11/makerspace-leads-to-broadcasting.html 

Fontichiaro, K. (2019, April). What i’ve learned from 7 years of the maker movement in schools and libraries. Teacher Librarian, 46(4), 51–53. 

Maker Media (2013). Makerspace playbook school edition. https://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Makerspace-Playbook-Feb-2013.pdf 

Moorefield-Lang. (2021, May 17). Makerspaces. [PowerPoint] YouTube.  

Video production studio. The Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://tic.ocls.info/video/ 

Comments

  1. Cheryl Milburn-JenkinsNovember 6, 2022 at 9:00 AM

    I love the idea of desk top green screens! We have a large one at our school that teacher's can book with our technology specialist to teach the students how to utilize. But I love the idea of students being able to apply that information with a smaller version in their classroom! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Shelf lifeNovember 6, 2022 at 1:39 PM

    I think storytelling is often a lost art and it's a great way to encourage a love of language. Sometimes, in school, language becomes a mechanical pedantic subject, but with storytelling through a fun medium like this, language can be playful and compelling, like it should be. Well done post, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 6, 2022 at 6:43 PM

    Thanks for this information! I have just purchased a green screen to use with our elementary news broadcast, but had not considered making at a part of a makerspace. I have a collection of puppets and this would be a great addition!!

    Brandi Huckaby

    ReplyDelete
  4. Whitney TylerNovember 6, 2022 at 7:14 PM

    We have a green screen in my library. Well...it's actually a brick wall painted green but I never thought about using it. Our Technology Learning Coach uses it to record the morning news show. Thank you for sharing this amazing idea! I will certainly give it a try.

    ReplyDelete

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