Since the Covid-19 shutdown and the increase in remote working, there has been an increase in online mediation training courses. While this reinforces the positive trend toward mediation, it also heralds the need for greater scrutiny and discernment between course offerings. Before you jump at the first course you see, there are several important criteria to consider when selecting the right course. Faced with many choices, knowing what to look for in effective online mediation training is essential.
What are the Key Criteria for Choosing an effective Online Mediation Training Program?
Not all online mediation courses are created equal. Because course content, teaching methodologies, duration, accreditation, and overall quality can vary, you should spend time researching and comparing different courses to find one that aligns with your specific goals and requirements.
Below is a checklist of some main things to look for in online mediation training.
Experienced Instructors
First and foremost, look for programs taught by leading experts who deal with the typical challenges mediators face; the more experience, the better! Review the instructors’ bios and ask questions before signing. Have they been full-time instructors or full-time dispute resolution professionals? How many cases have they mediated? What kind of mediation practice do they have? Are they respected in the mediation field?
In a marketplace seemingly filled with professional trainers, nothing will distinguish the herd better than the instructor’s ability to blend theory with practical examples. Rich, practical experience developed through years of resolving disputes and working in the business of mediation will bring the learning to life and ultimately increase the quality of skill development.
Substantive and Interactive Learning
The most effective online mediation training offers the greatest opportunity for substantive learning in an interactive environment. The depth of substantive materials may be reflected in part by the length of the course, but closer examination also may be required to reveal the true level of content.
Moreover, neurobiology tells us that the best learning is experiential, including failure. Online courses are often long on lecture and miss valuable opportunities to incorporate reflective learning, interactive questions, and practical skill development. Focus on content and a personalized approach to learning.
A good training course should include interactive elements, such as case studies, role-playing exercises, or simulations, which can enhance understanding and skill development. Furthermore, training should incorporate your experience as a general counsel or other legal professional, business or community leader, or professional interested in gaining additional skills to assist parties resolve disputes.
Comprehensive Course Curriculum
When researching an online mediation course, look for a comprehensive course that covers all the essential aspects of mediation, including opportunities to learn mediation theory, strategies, psychology, style, and practical skill development. Some of the things a comprehensive online mediation course should cover are:
Mediation fundamentals: Introduction to mediation, its purpose and principles, and how to apply them.
Convening techniques: How mediators should prepare for mediation and, moreover, prepare parties for participation.
Communication and listening skills: Techniques for active listening, effective communication, and understanding non-verbal cues.
The mediation process: Step-by-step guidance on the mediation process, including pre-mediation, joint sessions, and caucusing.
Negotiation skills: Practical techniques for managing impasses in conflict resolution, negotiation fundamentals, generating options, and facilitating agreement.
Cultural sensitivity and bias in mediation: How to recognize and acknowledge the impact of culture and bias in the mediation process.
Career development: Guidance on establishing a high-impact practice, marketing, and ongoing professional growth.
When considering online mediation training, also look for programs that offer the opportunity to see a course preview. This will give you a better sense of the delivery and quality of the content.
Engaging
There is a reason your children find it difficult to separate from their onscreen gaming. It’s called engagement, and the best video games know how to draw the viewer into the virtual experience. Look for courses that have been designed by professionals who understand how to develop training to capture adults’ attention and promote retention of course material. Each of our courses is taught around a unique filmed mediation so students are engaged in the process. Online learning must be engaging to bring the student back time and again, eager for more. Anything less promises disappointment.
Credentialing
Look for a course that has been pre-approved for credentialing by an established institution such as a respected university or bar association. Check with your local bar association or courts to learn the requirements for mediators in your community and choose a course accordingly. Beware of those courses that promise you will be a nationally or internationally certified mediator upon completion or make other unsubstantiated claims regarding post-curriculum credentialing.
If your goal is to get approved to be a court-appointed mediator, you should be aware that training requirements can vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction and the requirements set by the court system. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the specific requirements and qualifications for court-appointed mediators in your jurisdiction. This information is often available on the website of the relevant court or mediation association. Then look to obtain the necessary training and education in mediation. This typically involves completing a mediation training program approved by the court.
Some jurisdictions have specific requirements besides training, such as demonstrating a certain level of experience, completing a certain number of mediations, and meeting other criteria.
Long-Term Learning
Many courses collect their fee and provide a passcode for a one-time engagement. Yet, most online courses represent only the beginning of your career development. Seek out those programs that offer additional resources and demonstrate a long-term commitment to your learning. Whether follow-up webinars, Q&A sessions, blogs, or personal follow-up, the best courses support your ongoing professional development and help you develop a deeper understanding of the practice.
Timeframe for Completing Course
Another important consideration is the timeframe for completing a course. Some programs will be full-time for a certain number of days/weeks, and then it is over. Other programs are self-guided and can be finished at your leisure. Check if the course is self-paced or follows a specific timetable, and ensure that the course duration aligns with your availability. Understanding how a program will fit into your schedule and how much time is required is essential.
Reputation
Online mediation courses are now offered by various organizations, including private companies, associations, law schools, universities, and community colleges. You’ll want to research the organization’s reputation by reading reviews and ratings of people who have taken the course. You may also want to reach out to colleagues and professionals in the field or in online communities related to mediation and ask for recommendations based on their personal experiences.
What Will an Online Mediation Training Course Help You Accomplish?
Knowing what you want to accomplish by undertaking mediation training is important, as it will guide you to the type of training provider that will meet your goals.
- Are you looking to build skills or competencies and start working as a dispute resolution professional? A mediation skills course that delivers basic mediation training is a good place to start.
- Do you already have experience in mediation and would like to advance your skills in the commercial mediation market for complex mediation? An advanced mediation skills course would best suit your needs.
- Perhaps you are a lawyer who doesn’t plan to mediate but wants to take mediation training to better represent your clients in mediation. In that case, you should look for a training course in mediation advocacy created especially to help lawyers become better mediation lawyers or advocates.
- Regardless of what kind of mediation you want to practice – proactive or in-house, community, family, workplace, or commercial mediation – learning the mediation process provides the foundation for all mediation careers. Once you have learned the process, you can decide how you want to specialize.
Of course, be sure to consider our online mediation courses. They have been designed to meet all the criteria outlined above. Edwards Mediation Academy courses are developed in partnership with top instructional designers and leverage the latest in adult learning research. They incorporate a self-paced format and are structured for the convenience of each student, to be taken in the student’s own environment and on their own timetable.
Our instructors are pioneers in the field of mediation, and none have less than 25 years of full-time practice. They have taught best practices to thousands of aspiring and accomplished mediators around the world. From starting your career in dispute resolution to sharpening your mediation skills and raising your game to the next level, we offer courses that are right for you.
Conclusion
By considering the key factors above, you can make an informed decision on the best and most effective online mediation training that aligns with your learning objectives, offers a high-quality educational experience, and equips you with the necessary skills to become an effective mediator. Knowing what to look for in online mediation training is the first step toward an enriching and fulfilling career in today’s world.
