Interview with Jeff Fitton

Monday, February 10, 2025

I met with Jeff Fitton, a teacher in a neighbouring School District, to talk about Artificial Intelligence integration. I came away with some newfound perspectives including an excellent tool to use in the classroom to communicate with students varying levels of Artificial Intelligence use. Below is our interview, followed by additional notes, reflections, and slides from a Powerpoint provided by Jeff to help communicate his conceptual understanding and application of AI.

Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash

My first question to Jeff was about his progression and journey into Artificial Intelligence. He emerged with a reflection that he’s always enjoyed the “connections between things” and was blown away by his initial interaction with AI and how it was able to synthesize a challenging request.

His initial interaction with AI was so powerful he equates it to the impactful experience of the tragedy of 9-11. The use of AI was a pivotal moment for him, “in my life there have been a few things that were revolutionary” and that he believed will change the world as much as AI will.

Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light:

A Framework for AI Use in the Classroom

Perhaps the most impactful part of the conversation for me, was the application of a framework for students and teachers for regulating AI use in the classroom. Jeff shared the above resource with me from a Google Slideshow he has created from compiling interesting information from a variety of internet sources and colleagues. Jeff wanted me to be clear that this is not his own created framework. This information came from a resource called “Rocket PD” that was shared by his administration. In this framework, there are three categories. In the red light, students can’t use AI tools at all. In yellow light, they have to get permission – collaborate it as a partner, or design a few hooks, sentence stems, grammar, create a lesson for me, are all examples. In green light, AI interaction is encouraged, there’s a plan in place for what that looks like. Jeff said there’s an “elegant simplicity” to this framework and I agree that it facilitates open and clear communication for students and teachers. He said that AI use without any conversations, clarity or framework is “driving a wedge between our student / teacher relationship.” I believe we need simple frameworks like these to progress with clarity. Another tool he uses is having students screenshot each of their interactions with AI as a way to stay accountable and understand that they are pulling ideas from outside of their knowledge base.

Cheating or Not? Survey for Students

In these slides, Jeff introduces a continuum of AI use and the subsequent perceived level of ‘cheating’.

Students read the scenario’s, then respond with what level they believe the use of AI to fall under, ranking the level of cheating from 1-5. Level 1 is considered “Human Powered” while level 5 is considered “Bot Powered.” This survey looks to be helpful in facilitating conversations around AI use, as well as enhancing critical thinking and perspective on situational uses.

“Innovation only comes when we’re dancing around the edge”

Jeff Fitton personal communication Feb 10, 2025

Benefits for Educators:

Jeff said his expertise is mostly in helping educators use AI to save time and energy. Here are some of the benefits and tools:

• Teachers save time and these tools give them their life back
• Notebook LM – podcasts – beautiful application for teachers to use
• GAMA AI – instant powerpoints – helped a lot of teachers 
• Lesson plans or making things more concise
• Draft back – google plug in – key stroke

Critical Perspectives:

Jeff also warned against using AI without critically looking at the potential pitfalls. AI doesn’t have a soul, we still need to create AI proof lessons, and this demands even more creative thinking from teachers.

Works Cited:

Deanna Fester (Director). (2025, February 11). Interview Jeff Fitton [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dDfKE6-Sk