Most people who attend a basic mediation training are eager to practice what they learned. Unfortunately, though, if they don’t have the opportunity to mediate - or at least observe - enough cases in the first 3-6 months after their training, their interest in mediation is bound to wane.

Virtual Mediation Lab (VML), an online mediation project sponsored by the Association for Conflict Resolution Hawaii Chapter, has found a solution. Starting Monday, April 21, 2104 mediators from around the world can practice the skills they learned during their training by participating with other mediators in online mediation simulations -- for FREE. All they need is:

>> PC, Mac, Ipad or Android Tablet
>> Fast Internet connection
>> Being available for 90-120 minutes at 7:00am Hawaii Time (1:00pm Eastern) or Noon Hawaii Time (6:00pm Eastern).

When mediators sign up for a simulation, they can choose which case they are interested in (e.g. commercial, family, workplace) and which role they prefer to play: mediator or comediator, one of the party, attorney or union representative of one of the parties

1 - How It Works
Each simulation consists of:

>> 60-min Mediation. Like in a face-to-face setting, the mediator who plays that role can have joint and private meetings with the parties. In addition, whenever s/he feels "lost" and don't know what to do next, s/he can caucus with a Coach.
>> 30/60-min Debriefing - All mediators/participants and their Coach analyze and reflect on what happened during the mediation - what worked well or not-so-well, and why.

2 - Video Sharing - Learning From Other Mediators As Well
In order to allow mediators from around the world to learn from one another, particularly from mediators who live in different countries and apply different mediation methods and techniques, all VML simulations are video recorded. Videos can be watched in "streaming" on a PC, Mac, Ipad, Iphone or Android device. And the cost of viewing a 90/120-min video of a VML online mediation simulation is only $5.

3 - Mediation Centers, Trainers and ADR Organizations
On request, they can plan with Virtual Mediation Lab a series of simulations and video recordings to be viewed only by their mediators or students.

4 - Examples of VML Online Simulations and How to Sign Up
To watch several video recordings of VML online mediation simulations and to sign up click here - http://goo.gl/dnc0Y