Is it Cheating or Group Problem

Solving? Greg Friese

MS, NREMT-P

Greg Friese, MS, NRP

Cheat Sheet

Don’t kid yourselfCheating doesn’t have to happen

Reinforce the right things Swift consequences

Prevention worksChange the battle

Test stuff that matters

Audience Question

Cheating is common in EMS education.

Scenario: Question Recalls

Is this cheating?

Question Recalls

Scenario: CE Articles

Is this cheating?

Group Completion

Scenario: Online Con Ed

Dishonesty in Online Courses

Dishonesty in Online Courses

• Different rules for online quizzes• Rules not explicitly stated• Scope was shocking

Cheating Definition

Representing

someone else’s

work as your own

Scope of Cheating

Objective 1

Cheating is a Pervasive Problem

I didn’t do

anything!

Research about Cheating

“Nearly every research report on cheating … has concluded

that cheating is rampant.“

Cheating on Tests: How to Do It, Detect It, and Prevent It

Cheating at All Grade Levels

Cheating in School Student Reasons

• Others are cheating• No honor code• Required courses• Heavy workload • No clear rules or consequences• Low risk of being caught and or punished• Higher incidence at less selective institutions

Cheating by USAF Officers

Cheating by Fire Officers

Cheating in the Workplace

Time

Clock PCRDrug

Check

Station

DutiesRig

Check

Cheating by Nursing Students

Cheating by Firefighter Recruits

Cheating by EMS Students???

Audience Question

What factors is mostly likely to lead to cheating?

College Placement Paid Test Takers

Cheating by EMT

Cheating by EMS Instructors

• Change answers• Falsify records• Provide information • Ignore misbehavior• Fail to enforce

Words have Meaning

The patient cheated death

Know this for the test

Use the “Clock” method

You need to know OPQRST

Scenario: Clinical Skills

Is this cheating?

Clinical Skills

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating

Plagiarism

Deception

Fabrication

Impersonation

Bribery

Any attempt to give or obtain assistanceCopying without proper acknowledgement

Providing false information

Falsification of date, information, or citations

Assuming another’s identity

Paying for information or access

Cheating Low and High Tech

Circumventing Process

Unauthorized materials use

Taking, giving , or receiving information

Cheating and Technology

• Tougher to define cheating• Plagiarism is easier• Reduces sharing friction

Limited Impact of Barriers

Objective 2

Exam Stakes and Risks

High StakesHigh Risk

High RiskLow Stakes

High StakesLow Risk

Low StakesLow Risk

Risk

Stakes

Promotional exam

Certification exam

Licensure exam

Challenge to Accuse and Prosecute

Ingrained in the Culture

All for One, One for All

Win Together,Fail TogetherEnds Justifies

The Means

Small TeamsWork

Independently

Computer Based Testing

Compromised by poor questions,

poor security, and poor oversight

Easy Access to Cheating Techniques

Solutions

Objective 3

Simple Solution

Announce penalties for cheating

Ask students NOT to cheat

We are Responsible

• Role model• Discuss academic honesty• Honor code• Values education• Student selection• Appropriate focus• Change the evaluation method• Testing

Role Model Academic Integrity

Discuss Academic Honesty

Wasting narcotics without a witness

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4

Falsifying assessments or

treatments

Sharing CE test questions and

answers

Incorrectly reporting

attendance

Institution Honor Code

Institution Honor Code

Academic Dishonesty Consequences

Appropriate Consequences

DowngradeFail assignmentRe-testFail classSchool dismissalCriminal chargePermanent record

Values Education with I CARE

“The founders of the I CARE program envision a world where individuals of all

ages understand the importance of ethics and values as they pertain to a person's character and through their

actions embody the values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect

and Empathy in their daily lives.”

Employee or Student Selection

• Behavior based questions• Reference checks• Past work performance• Effective and secure entrance exam• Inform of honor code

Culture Change and Reinforcement

Focus on Competency

Reward Learning and Effort

Actual Group Problem Solving

Test Timing

KSA

Training

Complete

Competent? No

Yes

Write Better Questions

What is the average heart rate of a decompensated CHF patient?

a. 80b. 90c. 100d. 110e. Who cares!

Write Better Questions

In 140 characters or less explain airway management.

vs.Demonstrate proper airway

management for this situation.

Test Based on Objectives

Test High Level Knowledge

Situation analysis

Differentials

Actions based on findings

Critique performance

Mnemonics

Time intervals

Drug doses

Facts

Cheating by EMT

Optimize Testing Environment

• Clear instructions• Room set-up• Required supplies• Personally monitor• Video record• Remove bags, books, coats• Disable smart devices (phones, glasses, watches)• Confiscate electronics• Identity verification

Celebrate Ingenuity

Summary

Cheating is presentCultural acceptanceObjectives matter

Simple actionsComplex strategies

Focus on competency

Questions

Search

Greg Friese MS, NRP

Contact and Connect …

greg@centrelearn.com

717-227-4655 (office)715-204-9874 (mobile)

Facebook.com/gfrieseTwitter.com/gfriese

Blog.CentreLearn.com

Resources

• Plagarism.org• ICAREValues.org• International Center for Academic Integrity

AcademicIntegrity.org• 2007 Arizona State Board of Nursing Statewide

Nurse Educators Annual Conference