International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, 10(2), 1-16, April-June 2012 1 Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Keywords: Agricultural Knowledge, Distance Learning, Science Education, Situated Learning, Virtual Farm, Virtual Reality INTRODUCTION The goal of science education is to guide stu- dents to learn by studying and doing to improve the ability of dealing with matters and solving problems. The guidelines of Science and Tech- nology in Grade 1-9 Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2003) also emphasized on develop- ing students’ interest and motivation in active learning and doing research. Thus, schools and teachers should arrange proper learning contents and environments to conduct effective teaching activities for increasing students’ knowledge. Taking 3rd grade students for example, teachers may choose some kinds of plants and animals for students to observe their growth and keep track of special events when studying the major features of common creatures. In this way, students can discover the growth of plants and know that plants need soil, sunshine, and The Development of a Virtual Farm for Applications in Elementary Science Education Wernhuar Tarng, National Hsinchu University of Education, Taiwan Mei-Yu Chang, National Hsinchu University of Education, Taiwan Kuo-Liang Ou, National Hsinchu University of Education, Taiwan Kein-Fu Yu, Lin Sen Elementary School, Taiwan Kuen-Rong Hsieh, Ralink Technologies, Taiwan ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to develop a virtual farm for educational applications. Users can play the role of a farmer by planting vegetables and raising poultry on the virtual farm to observe their growth through online learning activities. The virtual farm possesses educational and entertaining functions, and it is designed by simulating the real situations of being a farmer to enhance users’interest and motivation in learning agricul- tural knowledge. It also provides an alternative way for city people to experience interesting farm life. The virtual farm is highly interactive with 3D visual effects and the attractive features of distance learning, and thus it can be used as an assistant tool in elementary science education. A teaching experiment was conducted and the results showed that the virtual farm could enhance students’ learning effectiveness and motivation. DOI: 10.4018/jdet.2012040101