​​MY FLORIDA MEDIATOR

1.SYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION: Online courses will be offered in a synchronous fashion, meaning that courses will be taught live, and course participants will need to attend the entire course at the scheduled times.

2. INTERNET AND COMPUTER/TABLET REQUIREMENTS: Course participants will need to log in using a computer or tablet with reliable high-speed internet connection.  Use of smart phones will not be acceptable as the screen is too small to view presentation materials as well as other classmates for interactive activities.  Hardware enable audio and video connectivity is required.

3. AUDIO AND VIDEO PARTICIPATION: Cameras must be turned on throughout the course, and course participants must be visible throughout the course.  If purchasing a new camera, be sure to install your camera in advance of the course.  If you have problems getting your camera to work with Zoom, you may need to uninstall Zoom and then re-install Zoom after connecting your camera. 

4. UNINTERRUPTED PARTICIPATION: Course participants should arrange to participate from a private space in their home or office free from interruptions or extraneous noise.  While some may have children or pets at home or work who may interrupt once or twice during the course, constant interruptions will make learning more challenging and may be disruptive to the course itself.

5. ZOOM INSTRUCTION: There will be a required Zoom meeting scheduled before the course starts to allow everyone to make sure they can properly connect and participate.  This will be a chance to check that all of our computers/tablets, cameras and microphones work as well as teach a few basics about Zoom course participation.  We will not be able to accommodate Zoom connectivity problems during class time.

6. ZOOM INVITATIONS: If you are new to Zoom, please know you do not need to have a Zoom account to participate in the course.  You will be sent a link and will be able to click the link to join the class.  If you haven’t already done so, you will need to download Zoom software to your computer or tablet which can be found at www.zoom.us, and this software is free.  Please be sure to update your Zoom software within one month of the start of the course as outdated Zoom software may not work properly.  While not necessary for participating in the course, you can also sign up for a free limited Zoom account and practice using Zoom before the course starts. 

7. FAMILIARITY WITH ZOOM: If you haven’t used Zoom before, you are encouraged to watch some of the free Zoom tutorials which can be found online.  Since a large percentage of mediations are being offered online via Zoom or similar software, learning how to use Zoom will be useful not only during the course but also afterwards as you start your mediation practice.

8.  STAY UP TO DATE:  Please check this webpage from time to time to see if information has been added or revised.

9. ZOOM LOG IN: Log in to Zoom at least 15 minutes early before each class scheduled session to be sure Zoom loads and appears properly.  Use the log-in information My Florida Mediator provides for each day. When you log in, you will be placed in a waiting room.  The host will admit everyone to the main session prior to the start of the course.  If you are having technical difficulties, call the My Florida Mediator host for assistance.

10. COURSE PARTICIPATION:  Each day, please verify the microphone and video icons in the lower left corner of the toolbar at the bottom of the screen are turned on. When not speaking, please mute your microphone so that any background noise will not disturb the class.  

​11. SMART PHONE BACKUP: Kindly keep a phone handy in case you have technical difficulties, and the Zoom host needs to reach you either by telephone or email.  

12. COURSE CERTIFICATES: Upon successful completion of the course, including full attendance for the entire course, and receipt (after the conclusion of the course) of the completed course evaluation, attestation form and audit form, course certificates will be mailed to course graduates.

13. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ATTORNEYS: Continuing legal education information is provided in the introductory pages of the course book and on the designated website course page.  Attorneys must report their own CLE credits.

14: CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: Health and mental health professionals requesting continuing education credit must mail or email a signed and completed CEI Attestation Statement immediately after the course (found in the introductory pages of the course book) to the primary trainer.  

15. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MEDIATORS: Portions of any mediation certification course are eligible for CME credit.  Mediators are required to self-report hours applicable to their areas of certification at the time of their renewal.  For more information on CME requirements, visit www.flcourts.org, select Alternative Dispute Resolution found under the Resources and Services tab.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVAL OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION: The Florida Supreme Court now allows online mediation certification training.  In order to best provide a meaningful educational experience, My Florida Mediator, offers the following guidance for online course attendees.

GUIDE FOR ONLINE COURSE PARTICIPANTS