Description
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sudden and complete shift from face-to-face learning to virtual learning across many subject areas. This report details a study of virtual well control courses conducted during the pandemic, with the goal of understanding best practice in virtual learning that can be adopted for long-term use. The project team observed no substantial reduction in competency measures (written examinations and simulator performance) in the switch to virtual learning. Overall, the study suggests that an all-virtual solution may not be desirable in every case, but that many advantages of virtual learning can be captured in a hybrid (partially virtual, partially face-to-face) educational model. Training practitioners, including training managers, instructors, and mentors can use this report to balance content that is best delivered in person with content that can be delivered effectively through virtual means.