Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of learning management systems (LMS) in the physical geography class. The study adopted the experimental design and three classes participated in this study. The first class was controlled using only classroom lectures, the second class used PPT slides along with the classroom lectures, and the third class used online video clips along with the lectures. The experiments were conducted from the Spring Semester 2007 to the Spring Semester 2008 for the introductory physical geography course. The study results showed that online learning tools help students improve academic performance and their attitudes towards the class and the instructor. Compared to simple PowerPoint slides, voice recording attached to the visual lecture slide materials enhanced students’ motivation. Class lectures with lecture slides did not improve students’ scores. However, when the visual materials were combined with voice recording, the number of internet access to online class materials increased, and class attendance and students’ final grades were improved. Based on the results, the instructional design model that combines classroom and online learning was suggested.