“Unless you’re here, really experiencing the work, getting to know your peers, and being pushed forward by the faculty, there’s no way of knowing what chiropractic is about.”
—Jacob Kwast, Student
classroom. For colleges, online education can deliver their curriculum to more students in more places. However, these benefits
require compromises.
Ask anyone who has sat through a Zoom meeting — the in-person experience is not easily (or enjoyably) replicated online. Plus, for college students, so much learning happens in person and outside the classroom. Study groups, office hours, and late-night conversations with peers are all essential to how knowledge is built and shared on a college campus. This reality is even more evident at Palmer, where hands-on education remains at the heart of Palmer’s field-leading curriculum. When it comes to courses in technique and anatomy, there is no substitute for an in-person curriculum like the one developed by Palmer College over the last 126 years. “COVID was a catalyst accelerating change in
the already dynamic landscape of education,” says College Provost Daniel Weinert, D.C., Ph.D. (Main, ’96). “Harnessing technology represents a pivotal opportunity to provide effective and engaging remote learning experiences for our students. By embracing innovative tools and interactive platforms, Palmer empowers students to consume educational content in quantities that suit their pace, at times that suit their
schedules, and in locations that suit their
circumstances. “That said, remote instruction is not ideal for all
learning. We remain steadfast in providing early and frequent hands-on experiences that foster manual skills critical for Doctors of Chiropractic. Ultimately, the success of pedagogy is measured by the growth, development, and achievement of our students. Our curricular and pedagogical choices are guided by what is best for developing incredible Doctors of Chiropractic.”
This guiding principle has led to the development of a hybrid model, blending the most effective educational and technological innovations with Palmer’s grounded and proven hands-on, in-person curriculum. “There’s a responsible way to use this new technology and integrate it into our curriculum,” says Palmer College Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D. (Main, `90). “We’ve done this with anatomy, for instance; we have brand new cadaver labs, but we also make use of Complete Anatomy, an augmented-reality learning platform available on every device the students use.” At Palmer, students are combining the latest technology with long-standing methods of studying anatomy. The result of this hybrid approach is an education anchored in tradition and sharpened by the newest, proven methods of study. “Students want to know we’re using the latest tools and that they can access online resources 24/7,” says Dr. Weinert. “They come to Palmer to get the best chiropractic education in the world. That’s the goal.” Students are already seeing the benefit of the new approach.
“The tools and support at Palmer are incredible,” says Samantha Schumacher, a 10th-trimester student and student council president. “We have access to everything you could ask for in terms of technology, and then we have the best instructors in the world standing right next to us. It makes you feel so much more confident when you start interacting with patients.” For Samantha, who will graduate soon and begin practicing in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the experience at Palmer paved the way for a future in chiropractic. “The amazing Palmer education and clinical work, the Palmer Package, the faculty, the network of friends and alumni I’ve developed here — it’s all played a part in creating this next step.” “Palmer College is the most trusted and most innovative
chiropractic college today,” says Dr. Marchiori. “Technology isn’t going to diminish that. It’s only going to take us further.”
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