"I see a degrading of the ability to search"

Yes - not only searching this site for answers already given for the same question, but also internet searches, and studying the device data sheets, App Notes and other helpful information provided by vendors.

The important part of a good education is not so much what you know, as knowing how to find the information you need - the basic research & study techniques don't change much whether you're using a "real" library with "real" books (like I had to in my University days), or using the new-fangled online resources.

There also seems to be an alarming reluctance of students to ask their teachers/lecturers when they have questions about specific assignments.
Are teachers really so bad (or busy) these days that they can't help their students?