I disagree with earlier postings that minimize the importance of map reading. Today's reality is that any sensible pilot uses GPS as the primary nav aid.
However I think that makes pure map orientation skills even more important. After I teach the student how to pass the flight test nav ex I teach them how to navigate in the real world.
That involves how to sensibly use of a GPS and what I want to see is a folded map on their knee and the ability to point out where they are on it. The map now becomes the TLAR (That Looks About Right) check sum that guards against going in the wrong direction due to a data entry error, the way to keep big picture situational awareness and the fail safe in the event of a GPS failure.