This post was originally written in November 2006 for the Mastering Mediation Blog.
Is there a qualitative difference between training mediators and educating mediators? I think so and I’m going to put myself far out on the limb here. No doubt one of you will want to shake me right off.
While training will likely always have its place in the ADR world, I’d like to see greater embrace of educating and less commitment to short-term, “let-me-call-myself-certified” training.
Training is traditionally concerned with the development of skills and preparation for specific jobs or roles.
Education is traditionally concerned with the development of the intellect, stretching and learning to use one’s mind.
It’s rarely as clear a dichotomy as that, but I hope this will spark some discussion that will, in turn, spark more writing.
One thing’s clear, at any rate: I’m the result of a liberal arts education and my thinking reflects it.
Your thoughts?
Making Mediation Your Day Job by Tammy Lenski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at MakingMediationYourDayJob.com.
Tammy,
I try to give myself both- training occasionally throughout the year and by getting my education through reading books and case studies (and now recently going back to school for my Masters).
It works for me!
-jeff
That’s a good balance, Jeff — from following your blog I see you as someone who naturally seeks out new learning. I suspect the really good mediators are like you in that way.