Modern educational technology offers sophisticated digital learning platforms that can adapt to individual student needs and provide instant feedback....
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Modern educational technology offers sophisticated digital learning platforms that can adapt to individual student needs and provide instant feedback. However, many educators argue that traditional classroom instruction, with its emphasis on direct teacher-student interaction and collaborative learning, provides irreplaceable social and emotional benefits. Given these competing advantages, _______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
schools should prioritize traditional classroom instruction to maintain essential social and emotional learning components.
effective education requires integrating both digital personalization and traditional social interaction elements.
digital learning platforms are more cost-effective than traditional classroom instruction for most subjects.
traditional teaching methods produce consistently better academic outcomes than technology-enhanced approaches.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Modern educational technology offers sophisticated digital learning platforms that can adapt to individual student needs and provide instant feedback." |
|
| "However, many educators argue that traditional classroom instruction, with its emphasis on direct teacher-student interaction and collaborative learning, provides irreplaceable social and emotional benefits." |
|
| "Given these competing advantages," |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage contrasts digital and traditional education approaches, acknowledging both have distinct advantages, and sets up the need for a logical response to this tension.
Argument Flow: The passage first presents the benefits of modern digital learning platforms, then contrasts this with educators' arguments for traditional classroom instruction's social and emotional benefits. It then acknowledges that these are "competing advantages," creating a setup that requires a balanced conclusion about how to handle this educational dilemma.
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
- The passage has established that digital platforms offer personalization and instant feedback, while traditional instruction provides social and emotional benefits
- The phrase "competing advantages" suggests both are valuable but different
- The logical completion should acknowledge that both approaches have merit and provide a practical response to this educational dilemma rather than dismissing either approach entirely
schools should prioritize traditional classroom instruction to maintain essential social and emotional learning components.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice suggests prioritizing only traditional instruction, ignoring the digital advantages mentioned in the opening
- Doesn't logically follow from "competing advantages"
effective education requires integrating both digital personalization and traditional social interaction elements.
✓ Correct
- Acknowledges both digital personalization AND traditional social interaction elements
- Directly responds to the "competing advantages" by suggesting integration
- Matches our prethinking about recognizing both approaches have value
digital learning platforms are more cost-effective than traditional classroom instruction for most subjects.
✗ Incorrect
- Introduces cost-effectiveness, which wasn't mentioned in the passage
- Doesn't address the social/emotional vs. personalization tension established
traditional teaching methods produce consistently better academic outcomes than technology-enhanced approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims traditional methods are "consistently better," contradicting the passage's acknowledgment that digital platforms offer real advantages
- Doesn't follow from "competing advantages"