Leveraging Virtual Experiences for International Professional Development Opportunities during the Pandemic and beyond

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, the once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to be moved online, leaving the educators to rely on virtual engagement tools.The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, the once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to be moved online, leaving the educators to rely on virtual engagement tools. This, in turn, has heightened the impact of virtual professional development in higher education, not just nationally but also internationally. As we look toward finding ways and means to engage students in effective classroom instruction, there are still parts of the globe making this transition to online instruction without cutting-edge technologies. This article, therefore, highlights the importance of engaging educators in virtual professional development activities as part of international outreach and details the author’s experience using the Avida-ED platform for a novel international teaching partnership. Traditionally, international outreach activities have been pursued through distinct platforms like Fulbright, sabbatical, and other international collaborations. The ongoing pandemic therefore presents a unique opportunity to propagate professional development activities on a virtual platform by emphasizing scientific teaching practices as they relate to the STEM fields. If undertaken, these endeavors ultimately benefit educators across the globe by not only equipping them with various pedagogical tools and resources for their online instruction but also paving the way toward establishing international partnerships and collaborations.