[Training] Resolving Differences: The Leader's Guide to Organizing People

Course Contents

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Course Overview

Total: 30 hours

Master the mediation process, communication micro-skills, restorative justice principles, trauma-informed practices, cultural humility, and ethics for community and peer mediation. This comprehensive training prepares you to facilitate healing dialogues and resolve conflicts across diverse settings.

What You'll Learn

Core Competencies

• Mediation process stages and techniques

• Active listening and OARS communication

• Restorative justice principles

• Trauma-informed facilitation

• Cultural humility and ethics

Practical Applications

• Community dispute resolution

• School peer mediation programs

• Online dispute resolution (ODR)

• Workplace conflict management

• Restorative conferencing

The continuum of restorative practices demonstrates how mediation fits within a broader framework of community accountability and healing. Source: Wikipedia - Restorative Practices

Evidence-Based Approach

This course integrates research-validated practices from multiple disciplines. Restorative justice approaches show meaningful victim satisfaction and modest recidivism reduction when implemented with fidelity [Campbell Systematic Review]. The communication skills draw from motivational interviewing evidence across health and social service contexts [Magill et al., 2018].

Online design scaffolds persistence and learning when coupled with active tasks and instructor presence. Evidence supports asynchronous delivery with structured engagement opportunities. [US Department of Education, 2010]

Course Structure

Ten modules guide you through foundational concepts to advanced facilitation skills:

• Module 1: Introduction & Healing Through Dialogue (2.25 hours - two hours and fifteen minutes)

• Module 2: Foundations of Mediation, Process & RJ (3 hours)

• Module 3: Skills for Effective Mediation (3 hours)

• Module 4: Trauma-Informed Care & Cultural Considerations (3 hours)

• Module 5: Community & Peer Mediation Case Studies (3 hours)

• Module 6: School & Community Peer Mediation (3 hours)

• Module 7: Conflict Techniques & ODR Facilitation (3 hours)

• Module 8: Cultural Competency & Mediator Ethics (3 hours)

• Module 9: Trauma-Informed Mediation & Emotional Intelligence (3 hours)

• Module 10: Moving Forward (1.75 hours - one hour and 45 minutes)

• Final Assessment: Final Comprehensive Assessment (2 hours)

  TOTAL: 30 Hours

Track your progress across all modules using the sidebar navigation and completion buttons.

Moving Forward: Building Stronger Communities

30 minutes

Consolidate your learning into an actionable practice plan. Identify specific contexts where you'll apply mediation skills and establish a sustainable rhythm for ongoing skill development.

Action Planning

• Identify two community settings for practice

• Set realistic implementation timeline

• Schedule bi-monthly skill refresher sessions

• Establish peer observation partnerships

• Create personal professional development goals

Final Assessment: Recorded Facilitation + Reflection

2 hours

Demonstrate your mastery through a recorded mediation segment (12-15 minutes) and comprehensive written reflection (750 words). Your assessment will integrate course concepts including process stages, trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, psychological safety, and professional ethics.

Assessment Rubric

• Process & Facilitation (30%): Clear stages, effective techniques, appropriate interventions

• Trauma-Informed Practice (25%): Safety, choice, voice, empowerment [SAMHSA]

• Cultural Humility & Ethics (20%): Self-reflection, power awareness, professional boundaries [Tervalon & Murray-García, 1998]

• Communication Micro-skills (15%): OARS, reframing, effective questioning

• Reflection & Evidence (10%): Citations, critical analysis, integration

Submission Requirements

Note: Restorative justice outcomes vary by context and implementation quality. Focus on demonstrating safe, consent-based facilitation practices. [Campbell Review]

Learning Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of healing-centered dialogue approaches

• Identify personal conflict resolution styles and preferences

• Apply empathy and active listening techniques in practice

• Recognize trauma-informed principles in mediation contexts

Video Lessons

Required Reading Materials

Estimated Reading Time: 45-60 minutes per Module

Module Discussion Forum

Discussion Prompts

Discussion Guidelines:

• Maintain respectful, constructive communication

• Share experiences while protecting privacy

• Respond thoughtfully to at least two peer posts

• Posts should be 150-300 words in length

Note: Discussion participation is required for course completion.