TFAC085 - Online Facilitation Skills for Mediation - Mediate BC

Course Description

Mediate BC Society and Royal Roads University have collaborated to create a unique online course designed to teach experienced mediators how to conduct mediation online. The content is founded on and inspired by Mediate BC's six-year Distance Mediation Project, which confirmed that distance mediation can increase access to justice safely, affordably, and effectively.

The online learning environment offers an innovative, relevant and powerful learning experience designed to assist mediators in learning how to implement technology in conflict resolution.

Course Outline

Learning will be practical and experiential in nature and will prepare participants for practicing distance mediation. The learning will be in the form of asynchronous online group discussions, several asynchronous and synchronous guest lecturers (from recognized leaders in the field), readings, an individual research exercise, mediation role-plays, interactions with the instructor and reflective practice feedback.

The main focus will be on using technology as a communication tool (e.g., as with web conferencing), rather than as a dispute resolution tool (e.g., as with Smartsettle). While the material will make clear the value of using a ‘multi-tool’ approach to online mediation, time constraints will mean focusing on the use of a specific technology – i.e., the use of web conferencing technology.

This is an introductory course, designed to provide trained and experienced mediators with a broad overview of the subject matter.

This course counts as:

• 40 hours CPD credits from the Law Society of British Columbia
• 40 hours toward Mediate BC's annual professional development requirements
• 40 hours toward Mediate BC Roster core education in conflict resolution and mediation theory and skills training.

Learner Outcomes

• Explore some of the most popular online dispute resolution (ODR) technologies being used to conduct online mediations today
• Be introduced to the key issues relating to online mediation
• Learn techniques specific to online mediation, including how to build an online practice
• Engage in lectures, discussion forums, readings, hands-on work with selected ODR technologies – with an emphasis on web conferencing technology