“Traditional” navigation is not some mystical superior method of navigation it simply exists because until the advent of GPS the pilot did not have accurate, real time, instantaneous aircraft position information. Everything about the use of the PLOG,map, and wizz wheel was the work around to that problem.
With the advent of GPS the pilot now had position information and instantaneous rate of change of position information to provide real time track, ground speed and ETE. GPS with electronic mapping then allowed real time orientation by means of a moving map display.
A GPS will always be more accurate than traditional nav methods and a moving map will usually provide superior Pilot spacial awareness.
The challenge is to ensure that students understands what the box is telling them as well as how to use the box without a lot of head down button pushing. They also need to develop the big picture position situational awareness so as to be able to always do a mental gross error check on what the box telling them and not wind up totally lost if the unit fails.
Those skills are both teachable, must be practiced, and should be examined.