The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to move online, leaving educators to rely on virtual engagement tools. This in turn heightened the impact of virtual professional development in higher education, not just nationally but also internationally. As we look toward finding means to engage students in effective classroom instruction, there remain parts of the globe that are making this transition to online instruction without cutting-edge technologies. This article highlights the importance of engaging educators in virtual professional development activities as part of international outreach and details one 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 programs, sabbaticals, and other international collaborations. The ongoing pandemic 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 by establishing international partnerships and collaborations.

中文翻译：

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在大流行期间及以后利用虚拟体验获得国际专业发展机会。

COVID-19 大流行影响了生活的各个领域，包括教育领域。很快，曾经熙熙攘攘的大学课堂被迫转移到网上，让教育工作者不得不依赖虚拟参与工具。这反过来又提高了虚拟专业发展在高等教育中的影响，不仅在国内，而且在国际上。当我们寻求让学生参与有效课堂教学的方法时，全球仍有部分地区正在向在线教学过渡，而没有尖端技术。本文强调了让教育工作者参与虚拟专业发展活动作为国际推广的一部分的重要性，并详细介绍了一位作者使用 Avida-ED 平台建立新型国际教学合作伙伴关系的经验。传统上，通过不同的平台开展国际外展活动，例如富布赖特计划、休假和其他国际合作。持续的流行病提供了一个独特的机会，通过强调与 STEM 领域相关的科学教学实践，在虚拟平台上传播专业发展活动。如果开展这些工作，这些努力最终将使全球的教育工作者受益，不仅为他们提供在线教学的各种教学工具和资源，而且还通过建立国际伙伴关系和合作。持续的流行病提供了一个独特的机会，通过强调与 STEM 领域相关的科学教学实践，在虚拟平台上传播专业发展活动。如果开展这些工作，这些努力最终将使全球的教育工作者受益，不仅为他们提供在线教学的各种教学工具和资源，而且还通过建立国际伙伴关系和合作。持续的流行病提供了一个独特的机会，通过强调与 STEM 领域相关的科学教学实践，在虚拟平台上传播专业发展活动。如果开展这些工作，这些努力最终将使全球的教育工作者受益，不仅为他们提供在线教学的各种教学工具和资源，而且还通过建立国际伙伴关系和合作。