Beyond the Role-Play – Re-thinking Mediator Education

Abstract

Just as mediation styles differ enormously, so too do approaches to training and educating mediators. In the midst of much discourse on standards and accreditation, the focus on what makes a quality learning experience can be lost. This article will focus on what happens during mediator training and how mediators are taught to practice their craft. Drawing on the author’s own experience of mediation training in both professional and academic settings, this article will address what teaching methodologies are most appropriate to mediator education, and why.
The article shall take a fresh look at the experiential methodologies that are currently used in such training, and explore some alternative teaching and learning strategies to make the learning experience better, and the outcomes of mediation training more successful.