International Faculty Professional Development: Utilizing Hybrid Environments to Deepen Learning and Grow Community

Abstract

Providing robust professional development opportunities for educators can present unique challenges, especially when activities occur abroad. In 2019, the NSF-ATE CREATE Energy Education Center took a group of renewable energy educators to Germany to study innovations in renewable energy and energy storage and to learn how these emerging technologies are incorporated into educational programming and workforce preparation. Learning activities conducted before, during and after travel ensured participant preparedness, academic rigor, constructive reflection and collaborative knowledge-building. This paper presents an analysis of accumulated participant data and presents recommendations for enhancing faculty learning when conducting international educator professional development programs.