12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: In the education sector

1. option A,C,D and E are irrelevant, B is the answer.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
this is a better option then other options because it explains the reason to be reluctance and resistance to adopting new technology

Sensing a theme here with this and the last question, but maybe I am making too much of bias/study design. I think it is B!

A - this would not help us much, as it establishes a committee may make these choices but says nothing about other factors/what is going on in these districts outside of their structure

B - removing correlation with tech infrastructure and training would mean there is variation even in districts with similar funding, demographics, technology availability, and training, which would leave willingness to adopt/preference as one of the few remaining explanations for this phenomenon.

C - This would show similar patterns across sectors, but does not do anything to further the hypothesis that it is preference and not a larger factor

D - The difficulty in assessing outcomes with ed tech could be a reason a teacher may be reluctant to adopt it, but this fact in and of itself does little to help support the phenomenon as a whole.

E - Similar reasoning to C, sure we may see similar trends for all sorts of technology, but it may not necessarily be preference - see answer B, it could be these regions have less technical education or infrastructure.

We need an option that shows that variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology.


(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
Not relevant.

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
We are not concerned with what is 'not the case'

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
Other tools and methods are not relevant.

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
The passage is not concerned with measurement of the performance.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
Correct option. This attributes the variation in certain districts to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology.

E is correct option.

I think its B.
B tells us that there is no correlation between adoption and lack of infrastructure or teacher training. We can then support the conclusion that much of the variation is due to reluctance and not lack of infra.

Answer is B because that is the only option that addresses the adoption of the new technology and what could be the reason for the resistance and reluctance by schools if found to be true

To support a conclusion that much of the variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology, it would be most important to establish evidence that rules out alternative explanations and highlights the role of reluctance or resistance. Let's analyze each option:

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.

- This option is relevant because if each district has a committee, it could influence the decision-making process and provide insight into the reasons behind the variation. It addresses the governance structure regarding technology adoption.

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.

- This option is crucial. If the variation is not correlated with factors like technology infrastructure or teacher training, it strengthens the case for reluctance or resistance being a significant factor.

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.

- This option introduces the idea that other methods and tools show similar patterns, suggesting a broader trend. However, it doesn't directly address the specific role of reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology.

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.

- While this option is relevant to understanding the impact of digital learning tools, it doesn't directly address the variation in adoption and whether reluctance or resistance is a contributing factor.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.

- This option addresses whether the observed trends are specific to digital learning tools or part of a broader trend in educational technology adoption. It is relevant to understanding the context.


Among the options, (B) is the most directly relevant to the conclusion. So,(B) is correct answer here.

Answer: (C)

The crux of the question is to show that there is hesitance in adopting new technology.

(A): Approval of new technology has nothing to do with adoption of said technology by the school districts.
(B): The lack of correlation simply hints at what items/reasons might be associated the variation (for better or for worse), it does not show that there is reluctance or resistance in adopting new technology.
(C): Correct. If this variability is observed in other, similar tools, it highlights that there is hesitance in adopting new technology.
(D): The question is not asking about impact - off-topic altogether.
(E): Closer/better, but without knowing what the trends are, it's difficult to say it fits our scenario at hand.

Answer: B

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
The committee might have various reasons to approve or reject technology - no clear reasoning.

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
Since availability or training is not affecting it, i.e. these are available equally points to resistance. Correct

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
Talks about other methods. Not relevant to argument.

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
Talks about impact of tools in education out comes. Not relevant to argument.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
Talks about broader trends and not reasons behind them. Not relevant.

Answer choices C and E attempts to correlate variation to other issues that are not technology related, therefore does not support the required claim. D is discussing about an irrelevant issue of educational outcomes. It is difficult to infer that A will support the claim as it is very likely any decision of any school district will be taken by a committee. The most likely answer is B.

B rules out some of the possible reasons that hinders the adoption of technology as not correlating to the observed variations. Which means some school districts that had lower technology infrastructure has shown greater adoption of digital technology. Therefore it provides support to the conclusion that much of this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology.

Answer B

In the education sector, there is a significant variation in the adoption of digital learning tools across different school districts. Some districts have integrated technology extensively into their teaching methods, while others use it minimally. This variation is observed even among districts with similar demographics and funding levels.

To support a conclusion that much of this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology, it would be most important to establish which of the following?

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
Explanation: Irrelevant. Even in the districts with similar demographics and funding levels this variation have been seen and thus having a reviewing committee to approve the educational technologies doesn't imply that this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopt. The same committee approved the new technology in some of the schools while in some it didn't. That doesn't make sense. INCORRECT


(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
Explanation: This option clearly demonstrates that the variation is due to reluctance to adoption of new technology only and not due to other factors. Had that not been the case, then factors such as the 'availability of technology infrastructure' or 'teacher training in technology use' could have forced the hand of the schools to either consider or reject adopting the new technology. But here, it is evident that this variation is not correlated to these factors which leaves us with the possibility that the variation is a result of only the reluctance or resistance to the adoption of new technology. CORRECT


(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
Explanation: This choice doesn't clearly translate one phenomenon to the other. This variation could very well be due to other factors as well and thus it doesn't imply that the variation is just because of reluctance to adopt new technology. INCORRECT


(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
Explanation: Irrelevant. Inability to measure impact of learning tools on student's performance doesn't correlate to the reluctance to adopt those tools. INCORRECT


(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
Explanation: Out of Scope! This doesn't provide any evidence for the said conclusion. INCORRECT

Option B is the right choice.

Conclusion: much of the variation in the adoption of digital learning tools across different school districts is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology.
To support this conclusion, we need to establish that reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology is a significant factor contributing to the variation in the adoption of digital learning tools across different school districts.

Option B provides support to above conclusion by ruling out alternative explanations for the variation, such as external factors like infrastructure or training.

Option A is incorrect because the mere existence of a committee does not necessarily imply reluctance or resistance.
Option C is incorrect because it broadens the scope to include variability in the adoption of various educational methods and doesn't specifically address reluctance or resistance to technology adoption.
Option D is incorrect because it suggests the difficulty in measurement as an alternate explanation without specifically addressing reluctance or resistance to technology adoption as explanation.
Option E is incorrect because it does not directly address whether reluctance or resistance is the driving factor behind the observed trends.  
Answer B

In the education sector, there is a significant variation in the adoption of digital learning tools across different school districts. Some districts have integrated technology extensively into their teaching methods, while others use it minimally. This variation is observed even among districts with similar demographics and funding levels.

To support a conclusion that much of this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology, it would be most important to establish which of the following?

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.-- The data from review board could actually contradict our evidence

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.-- Correct. This is ruling out correlation with other factors

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.-- We are not concerned about other tools

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.---We are not concerned with outcome of the students but the reason for variation

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.-- This does not tell us the reason for variation

Ans B

We need to establish that much of this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
Committe may be agreeing on technology but if there is some technical issue like low connectivity in particular area. Then we can' establish the conclusion. Out

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
Yes, if variation is not due to other factor then most probably it's people resistance. Hold to this one.

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
So what, it doesn't prove that resistance is causing this variation. Out

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
We are not going that far, student performance have nothing do with resistance. Out

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
Ok, trends may be broader but we still don't know weather it is due to resistance or not. Out

So B is our answer

Premise - There is a significant variation in the adoption of digital learning tools across different school districts.
Premise - Some districts have integrated technology extensively into their teaching methods, while others use it minimally.
Premise - This variation is observed even among districts with similar demographics and funding levels.

Support - This variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology, it would be most important to establish which of the following?

To search - Since funding levels and demographics are the same any assistance that covers the non-human components would lead us to the conclusion that the human resistance and reluctance is the core obstruction

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
-- Even if there is a committee it is possible that districts other factors like technology availability or training could be challenges

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
-- Correct. If the non-human factors are not a decision making factor then it supports the conclusion about human reluctance and resistance to adopting new technology

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
-- Irrelevant to discuss other tools

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
-- Measurement of effectiveness is not the objective here

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
-- Irrelevant

Option B

Facts: Significant Variation in the use of Digital Learning tools across different school districts. This variation is found true for districts with similar demographics and funding levels.

To support a conclusion that much of this variation is due to reluctance or resistance to adopting new technology, it would be most important to establish which of the following?

We have to find an argument which will support our conclusion, The argument should confirm that there is no alternate reason, other than reluctance or reistance, to adopt digital learning tools in schools.

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools. ~ The findings of this committee is not shared, may be they find the required conclusion or an alternative conclusion to these Variations.

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use. ~ Correct, if adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as availability, infra or teacher training. So, it must be either the reluctance or the resistance to adopt digital learning tools which is the reason for such variations.

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption. ~ Our conclusion is related only to the digital learning tools rest educational tools are beyond the scope.

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes. ~ This does not support the conclusion. We have to find why the digital learning tools are not adopted and not how their impact on educational outcome and student performances.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general. ~ Similar trends does not justifies the conclusion may be these trends arises due to some other factors other than the reluctance or resistance.

IMO Choice B.

Answer: A

(A) Each school district has a committee that reviews and approves the educational technologies used in its schools.
there is a informed decision taken to not adopt new technology. Unawareness is ruled out. this is better answer choice among others.

(B) The variation in the adoption of digital learning tools is not correlated with factors such as the availability of technology infrastructure or teacher training in technology use.
this is in fact one of the reasons for reluctance/resistance to new technology. if its not correlated with these factors then there should not be reluctant/resistance adopting new technology

(C) There are other educational methods and tools, besides digital learning tools, that also show similar patterns of regional variability in their adoption.
out of scope, other educational methods and tools

(D) It is often difficult to measure the direct impact of digital learning tools on student performance, as many factors contribute to educational outcomes.
this option unless mentioned in the argument, just remains as additional information but cannot be used to relate difficulty to measure student performance with reluctance in adopting the new technology.

(E) The trends in the adoption of digital learning tools in these districts are representative of broader trends in educational technology adoption in general.
school districts are following the trend so far based on guidelines so far. even if some school distructs were not following the trend and were behind in adopting earlier technology. there is no information is presented on this answer choice to impact the claim of reluctance to the new technology.