The Public Safety Group Blog

Even before they start their careers saving lives, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire professionals are under intense pressure to pass exams. This intense pressure to succeed can sometimes drive students to cheat, a growing concern in EMS education and fire training.  

Public Safety Group sat down with Dr. Bill Young, program director of Fire and Paramedicine Science at Eastern Kentucky University, the second oldest accredited program in the country. Dr. Young celebrates his 50th year in EMS this year. He shares his insights on academic dishonesty and offers five strategies for educators looking to combat cheating in their classrooms. 

High-Tech and Low-Tech Cheating Methods
When one thinks of cheating, they likely picture a student copying off of a classmate or bringing notes into an exam. While these methods are still prevalent, cheating has evolved significantly over the years. 

“There is a combination of both high-tech and low-tech approaches to cheating that we’re seeing today,” said Dr. Young. He notes that the availability of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced tools that were once reserved for government agencies have made cheating more prevalent. These tools can be easily purchased online, giving students ways to cheat that educators never thought possible before. 

Traditional cheating methods also remain alongside these modern tools. Dr. Young notes that students still use simple tricks like wrapping a wide rubber band around a book and writing notes on it. Another popular method involves altering soda bottle labels: students replace the existing label with one made in Photoshop, allowing them access to their notes. 

Addressing the Growing Role of AI in Education
The AI boom of the last few years has had major impacts on education. Data from 2024 suggests that 84% of educators use AI in the classroom, a number that is only likely to rise as tools become more advanced and available. 86% of students report using AI in their studies. 

While Dr. Young views AI as a promising tool for both students and educators, he notes the potential for AI to be misused, making it important for educators to find strategies to mitigate this risk. He emphasizes the importance of authentic learning, particularly for those seeking a career in EMS and fire, where they may not always have access to AI tools in an emergency. In critical moments, the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly independently will be essential to save lives. 

"At some point in time, it is literally going to be them and the patient, where students won't have access to resources like Google or ChatGPT... Within the realm of fire and EMS, we have to critically think, whether you’re dealing with a person with a heart attack or you’re dealing with a large building that's on fire,” he said. 

Changing the Mindset around Failure
Cheating is a major problem, but Dr. Young believes that its root cause can be eliminated with a shift in mindset. In his presentation, "Why Failure Should Always Be an Option," which he has given at an NAEMSE educator symposium and other events for EMS instructors, he argues against the belief that failure is unacceptable. The idea is simple: when failure is not an option, the drive to succeed can lead to unethical behavior, such as cheating. Educators should instead focus on creating an environment where learning is accessible and failure is seen as a valuable part of the learning process, not something to be avoided. 

“If we make it easier for them to learn and we make it safe to fail, then students are going to be less likely to cheat." 

Beyond the negative impacts in the classroom, cheating can lead to a major integrity problem, one that Dr. Young says goes directly against the values of an EMS professional. 

“What we have to remember is when we're within the EMS classroom, we're not making potato chips here. We're dealing with people's lives and... people are bringing you into their homes where their valuables are. And they're entrusting you to take care of them in their most vulnerable time. So, the question always has to be put forth to the students of ‘are you a person that they can be trusted?’” he said. 

Dr. Young offers these five strategies to help EMS and fire educators combat cheating:  

Strategy #1: Set Guidelines and Limits
While educators can implement various strategies to reduce cheating, Dr. Young has bad news for those hoping to completely prevent academic dishonesty. 

“That's just the world in which we live in. We're not going to eliminate cheating, but we can slow it down.” 

In his EMS leadership class, which is heavily research paper-based, Dr. Young surprisingly welcomes students to use AI in their papers. The catch? Only up to 30% of papers may be written with AI, and students must properly cite these sections. He believes this approach helps cut down some of the temptation to cheat and still allows the students to use helpful AI tools.  

Strategy 2: Create an Environment of Trust with Students
One way that educators can deter cheating is by creating an environment of trust with their students. Dr. Young says he lays this foundation on the first day of class. 

“I was listening to a speaker a little while ago that said that one of the things that indicates whether a student is going to be successful or not in post-secondary education is, do they have one or two professors that they viewed as support and a mentor?” he said. 

Dr. Young explains that this trust goes beyond the classroom, encompassing exams, clinicals, and field internships. By trusting his students, he empowers them to take responsibility for their learning and behavior, reinforcing his confidence in their integrity and abilities. This approach sets high expectations for students. 

“I'm trying to set that stage...to tell them my expectation is you're not going to cheat, but...If you do cheat and I find out, the consequences will be severe.”  

Strategy #3: Incorporate Traditional Assessment Methods
When other methods fail, educators still have some tried and true methods at their disposal. One approach is to rearrange the classroom seating by placing a chair between students, making it more challenging for them to copy from one another. Additionally, reverting to paper and pencil exams in lieu of computer-based testing can be surprisingly effective.  

“It is a little more difficult to cheat when your technology is old school,” Dr. Young noted. While there are apps available that allow for quick scanning, the traditional paper and pencil method makes it a bit harder for students to cheat. This approach creates a more secure testing environment and also provides educators with reliable grading and item review. 

Strategy #4: Embrace Technology
Traditional methods for curbing academic dishonesty are effective, but there are even more advanced options to combat cheating. Dr. Young suggests embedding unique identifiers within student assignments. In his approach, he inserts a random string of letters or words into papers, which are then highlighted to match the background color of the learning management system (LMS). 

“If a student is simply going in, copy pasting and putting it in, those words will show up in the generated report and then I have an opportunity to bring the student in for a little disciplinary talk. And we say, ‘OK, look, this can't happen. You can't do this,’ and hopefully it'll be a learning situation. For most of my students, it is a learning situation.” 

Another strategy is the use of lockdown browsers during internet-based exams. These browsers prevent students from navigating away from the test page, and they alert the instructor if a student attempts to do so. This acts as "another set of eyes" in the exam room, deterring students from attempting to cheat online. 

Strategy #5: Listen to Students
At some point for every EMS and fire instructor, a student will cheat during an exam or be flagged by a fellow student for cheating. Dr. Young advises that when this happens, instructors should listen to those who raise concerns and address the situation. 

“One of the things that is interesting to note,” he says, “is that they [students] have a tendency not to keep their mouth shut. They like to brag. And so invariably that now begins to get around... It becomes very frustrating to the student who is actually trying to do their best and to learn the material.” 

When a student raises concerns about cheating, instructors should actively monitor the individuals involved. Dr. Young notes that in recent years, one or two students in each of his classes have been flagged by their peers. When confronted, these students often confess to cheating. Addressing these incidents can act as a deterrent, as news of the consequences quickly spreads among classmates. 

Cheating in education is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach. Dr. Young says upholding honesty is crucial in EMS, where ethical standards not only impact the quality of care and patient safety, but the reputation of the industry as a whole. 

“We have this reputation that we are the good people, that we're coming in to help. And we don't want to tarnish that. Everything about medicine is trust, and if we  cannot develop that trust from the provider end, medicine is in a world of trouble.”