Early digital learning platforms were designed as basic information repositories, focusing primarily on content storage and delivery. Educational rese...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Early digital learning platforms were designed as basic information repositories, focusing primarily on content storage and delivery. Educational researchers soon discovered that static presentation methods failed to engage students effectively with complex material. _____ modern platforms emphasize interactive features and multimedia integration to improve learning outcomes.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For example,
As a result,
On the other hand,
In addition,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Early digital learning platforms were designed as basic information repositories, focusing primarily on content storage and delivery." |
|
| "Educational researchers soon discovered that static presentation methods failed to engage students effectively with complex material." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "modern platforms emphasize interactive features and multimedia integration to improve learning outcomes." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Digital learning platforms have evolved from basic information repositories to interactive, multimedia-rich systems in response to research showing that static methods fail to engage students effectively.
Argument Flow: The passage traces the evolution of digital learning platforms, starting with their original basic design, then presenting research that revealed problems with static approaches, and finally describing how modern platforms have adapted with interactive features to address these engagement issues.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we have a clear sequence: early platforms were basic → researchers discovered this approach failed → modern platforms now use interactive features
- The blank sits between the discovery of the problem and the description of the modern solution
- The logical relationship here is cause and effect
- Because the static methods were found to be ineffective, modern platforms have responded by emphasizing interactive features
- We need a transition that shows this resulted-in or consequence relationship
For example,
Incorrect
- This would introduce modern platforms as an example of static presentation methods failing
- But modern platforms are the solution that emerged because of the failure
As a result,
Correct
- This creates the perfect cause-and-effect relationship our analysis identified
- Shows that modern platforms' interactive approach is a direct consequence of researchers discovering that static methods failed
On the other hand,
Incorrect
- This would suggest modern platforms are contrasting with the research findings
- But modern platforms are responding to the research, not opposing it
In addition,
Incorrect
- This would suggest modern platforms are additional information about static presentation methods
- But modern platforms are the evolved response to the discovered problems