This study was conducted (1) to identify the natures of learning styles and goal
accomplishment styles of Korean middle school geography students, (2) to determine the
relationship among students learning styles, goal accomplishment styles, gender and
academic achievement in geography, and (3) to use the data obtained from this study to
make recommendations for enhancement the Korean geography curriculum and teaching
methods. This study was based on the Learning Style Inventory (LSI) by Kolb, Goal
Orientation Index (GOI) by Atman, and Teaching Methods Questionnaire which was
synthesized from the lists of Svinicki and Dixon, and the lists of Sheehy. The instruments
were administered to 791 subjects of Korean middle school geography students, and their
8 geography teachers. The regression test was used to analyze the data from the
instruments and test the hypotheses of the study.
The results showed that geography students learning styles and goal accomplishment
styles were a little different from previous researches because environmental
consideration in Korea, including traditional thought, school experience, teaching methods
and educational settings, may be a factor in such results. It showed that students learning
style and goal accomplishment styles are capable of predicting geography academic
achievement in Korea.
Also, it suggested that the Korean geography education provide opportunities for
students to learn self-monitoring skills for improving their academic achievement, and for
teachers to train in new and various instructional methods in order to meet different
students learning preferences. Especially, in geography as a subject, teachers have to be
trained for technology education such as the geography information system (GIS).
This study will help to develop a data base of Korean students learning styles and goal
accomplishment styles in geography education, aid in making geography textbooks
contents more concrete and effective, and create standards for geography education.