Joan Boyenga’s first-grade classroom has been using green paper with as a green screen for her students to record themselves giving book talks or other fun activities with, according to a press release.

A green screen is an integral part of the special effects process known formally as chromakey. Chromakey allows television producers and movie makers to use advanced technology to superimpose their subjects onto an unlimited number of different virtual backgrounds. For example, a meteorologist stands in front of a green screen when showing weather maps and giving forecasts.

The students in Boyenga’s class read a book into an iPad and the software in the program shades the green effectively to allow other images, such as a tropical beach, dragon or superhero, appear. When they are done, the students have a QR code that anyone can use to then see the video and hear them reading the book. The end result is excited students who are proud of their work that they can share with many people. This is also another way for Boyenga to track student progress in a formative manner while using the available technology classrooms have.