The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 thrust instructors into a world of frenzy, presenting unique challenges to delivering course content. A particular challenge was determining suitable substitutes for wet lab experiments that are often comprised in science labs. Recognizing that this problem was not short-term, I started to look into virtual substitutions to be implemented in the 2020-2021 academic year. Virtual simulations can replace labs, be incorporated as pre-lab assignments, or used as active-learning or experiential learning exercises in a traditional classroom setting while providing low-cost, safe, and acceptable solutions to the current problem. Virtual simulations were examined on different platforms, including Labster, McGraw Hill Connect Virtual Labs, HHMI BioInteractive, Learn.Genetics, Virtual Interactive Bacteriology Laboratory, and Biology Corner. The goal was to provide faculty around the world with a reference list of virtual simulations that are aligned to specific AAAS and ASM student learning outcomes. These simulations are discussed in terms of content, features, and advantages of use. A list of lab exercises aligned to biology courses (microbiology, genetics, and cell biology) is also provided.

中文翻译：

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在在线实验室教学和主动学习练习中使用虚拟仿真来应对COVID-19期间的教学挑战。

2020年春季COVID-19大流行的到来将教员带入了一个疯狂的世界，这对提供课程内容提出了独特的挑战。一个特殊的挑战是确定科学实验室中经常包含的湿实验室实验的合适替代品。意识到这个问题不是短期的，我开始研究将在2020-2021学年实施的虚拟替代方法。虚拟模拟可以代替实验室，可以作为实验室的前期作业，也可以在传统的教室环境中用作主动学习或体验式学习练习，同时为当前问题提供低成本，安全且可接受的解决方案。在不同的平台上检查了虚拟仿真，包括Labster，McGraw Hill Connect虚拟实验室，HHMI BioInteractive，Learn.Genetics，虚拟互动细菌学实验室和生物学角。目的是为世界各地的教师提供与特定AAAS和ASM学生学习成果相匹配的虚拟模拟参考列表。从内容，功能和使用优势方面讨论了这些模拟。还提供了与生物学课程（微生物学，遗传学和细胞生物学）相对应的实验室练习清单。