Which of the following is true about online information?

In a 2013 study conducted by Pew Research Center, the majority of nearly 2,500 middle and high school teachers surveyed reported that they believed the use of digital tools led to students taking

shortcuts and not putting effort into their writing.

That concern, echoed by teachers around the world, is certainly not new. Since the inception of Google twenty years ago, digital learning has taken off in a big way as students have come to rely more and more on the Internet giant for all the answers. Using digital tools, students can effortlessly access information that they would once have had to look up in libraries and information archives.

Unfortunately, this is also making it all too easy for students to cheat. In the Pew study, teachers gave students the lowest scores when it came to issues regarding copyright and fair use. Some students are indeed unaware of plagiarism issues, but others continue to cheat because they know that it is often difficult to identify stolen content.

To make matters worse, answers provided by search engines in response to queries are readily accepted by many students, even though plenty of online information is not backed up by solid evidence or is simply false. Some educators are now questioning whether making information too easy to obtain is having adverse effects on the way students think. Students may tend to skim through large volumes of information quickly without thinking more deeply about it, and accept what is written at face value. Over time, students may develop a habit of seeking instantaneous answers—regardless of their value—while neglecting the valuable skills of critical thinking and methodical research.

Questions:

1. What is the passage mainly about?

2. Why do some students choose to cheat?

3. Which of the following is true about online information?