Do you think independent learning is better than having someone teaching you?

Hello Dear Zhihao, I liked your topic of discussion. I feel learning is a process of acquiring skill in some new area of work in our life about which we don't have any knowledge. This can be done with the help of some guidance from individuals or by independent way of learning by using other means other than a personal teacher. We can start learning at any age. Depending upon the areas of one’s interest the age can be decided. Like to learn driving we need to wait till the legal age. To learn swimming we can start learning it any age. As discussed earlier where can one learn the things in one's life? There are many learning schools, Colleges, Universities and private classes where can one learn and officially have a certificate of proficiency from these institutes which will help one to get a job in that particular area of learning. This can also be learnt by one all by himself or herself independently with the help of books and other supporting study materials available. There are some areas which can be learnt independently like learning drawing, painting or some craftsmanship etc. But some areas definitely require expert personal to teach you personally. For example if you want to learn dancing I bet you may have best of the books in Dancing with you but you can't attain those swift and graceful movements in the Dance with out a personal guide. You need t follow him/her by looking at the movements. He/She will teach the technique of he steps involved in the dancing. Similarly in technical and professional fields like Medicine, surgery and other skilled job you need to attend classes and learn these things under the supervision of an expert! There are many things to be learnt apart from just the subject that is given in the books which is called 'Personal Experience' which can only be given by the teacher. I respect your feelings and idea of independent learning! But if that was a successful technique of learning then could you kindly tell me why we are having so many universities, Colleges, schools all over the World where people are learning from so many centuries? Thus in conclusion what I all I can say is that learning process depends upon the area of interest as some areas o subjects require a skilled teacher or guide to teach you while in other areas you can learn all by your self. But note my words that the skills acquired from a qualified teacher are much more qualitative than the self learnt skills! Thanks!

When I was a nursing student I listened to many lectures about anatomy and physiology and I wouldn't say that I didn't learn anything from those lectures, but I learned much, much more when I studied on my own, because I was able to take the time that I needed. If there was something that I didn't understand I borrowed other books at the library and compared the knowledge in the different books and I was always able to understand the things that I had to learn when I studied on my own. On the other hand there are also situations where I prefer to have a teacher for instance if I have to learn a new language. I can learn new words from a computer programme and I can read books about grammar, but it is really nice to have a teacher who is able to correct my pronounciation. Sometimes I think that I know how to pronounce a certain word, but I pronouce it the wrong way. If a teacher doesn't correct my pronounciation I might never realize that it is a mistake.

I think it really depends on what it is. I have learnt a lot online, with various videos, pages etc and yes I really do enjoy it. There are things that can be very well explained and things like making something be it a cake or a shelf, we find the help quite easily. I have on many occasions learnt something new and solved problems from what I have learnt online. Things like learning a new language on the other hand is very practical and I have done so on more then one occasion, but the advantage is with a teacher they will listen and correct pronunciation, that is were I really notice the difference. Another big difference is that when we learn something new on our own it is because we are interested in learning about what ever the topic is, where as the structured courses may have topics that do not interest us as therefore are more difficult to learn and understand.

Yeah, learning is a lifelong process and it doesn't matter how you prefer to acquire it. For me, I think one will learn faster if he/she is being taught by someone who is a professional or by a learned individual. Since he/she is an expert about the subjects to be taught, he/she possessed also ways and techniques so that it will be easily absorb by his/her students.

I think that would depend on the individual on where he/she can focus more. For me, either way will do but also it depends on what I want to learn about.

For me it depends on what you want to learn, Sure that it is more beneficial to learn by yourself but sometimes our mind is not just as good enough as those of others. WE all have our strengths and weaknesses. ^.^ We cannot have the best of both worlds. Well,, for me that is how I see it ^.^

Learning with someone tutoring you would be beneficial to your learning skills,because it could make you know his styles where he got your answers,by which you could also do it when upon his teaching methods would make you search also as he finds the answers.Your method of learning by yourself is also good yet you are not making so much improvements because your styles do not have other diversities,to make other improvements in your skills.Yes,you can still learn by your own ways and styles,yet with others help you can discover other options to enhance your knowledge.Their techniques could make you open other styles how to make your studies have more information,which you could never achieve when you are only studying by yourself.

This obviously depends on the individual and our personal approach to learning. There are benefits in either method. For many it is much easier to approach the subject themselves and absorb knowledge at their own personal pace. This also provides the option to focus more deeply on the aspects that appear more confusing. The obvious benefit for others may be the availability of someone to explain the aspects that seem confusing and answer relevant questions.

hi zhihao I think a mixture of learning as a student and independant learning works well. my son did teach himself C+ and C++ from text books borrowed from the library and became very good at it plus a number of other computer languages too.But in getting jobs one needs to show proof and usually that means an AA or BA or MA of some sort. He can take certain tests though as proof of his knowledge.

Learning is both. You've got to be open-minded. Maybe you haven't found the inspiring teacher ... I agree with you, life is a life long learning. Make every day's life lessons learning in a process. Good luck!

I believe that more is taken in of the learning process when when you go about it independently. when someone is teaching your something, you tend to pick up only what they are willing to give and not what there is to be discivered.

Learning independently is good, its self fulfilling since its your effort to explore things,learned and understand. But its a case to case basis. I am in my new job, new place.We never been oriented on the place, protocol and processes. Its quite frustrating when someone pressured to finish this and that on a little span of time when we dont even have an orientation.I hate this feeling..

Hi friend, there is no limitation for education and we can learn at any age. Some persons are very much interested in studies and they can learn easily by them selves without the help of the teacher. But not every one is blessed in this sort. If you are week in studies better to join with a tuition and learn with others.

While, in my opinion, it is depends on what kind of knowledge you are learning. for me, the knowledge which is more close to the science I have to reply on someone because I cannot get it or some concepts are not understand.

I think that things like this very much depend on the individual, because it depends on how you work. If you need someone to give you information then obviously you would be better to have a teacher, however there are a lot of people who work much better if they're allowed time on their own to research the thing that they've been asked to write about. I am one of the people who very much prefers to be on their own to do work, and I am not able to concentrate if I have to sit in a class full of people and get on with things.

The answer is simple: DEPENDS. Of course, children would still need to go to school or they still need education in general. I'm aware that in some countries including US, parents are home schooling their children. I don't know how successful they can be. We just have to wait and see. As individuals getting passed school education, it depends on different individuals. Some individuals are like explorers. They learn to discover, to create, and to explore possibilities. Others prefer classroom instructions, private tutoring/coaching, or workshops. Again, it depends on what you're learning. Some people are good at certain things/fields while others are good at others. Independent learning allows people to use their head more. People who are successful in this way would go on to other success. Don't quote me since I don't know the statistics, but I would bet that more success will come their way. This does not mean that people that learn through other means are less successful. It all comes to effort, time, and money.

independent learning helps more i feel, and we will never forget what ever we learn by our self, but teaching also helps upto some extent to realize what is good and bad in life, we cant ignore anything, there are few things which is good to learn by ourselves and others through teaching

Hey thanks a ton for such a nice discussion. Well it entirely depends on the assignment. For instance, if an assignment involves learning from outside and that requires outside help, then it would be wise to adopt it otherwise we can do it by ourselves. On a personal front i have always favored independent learning as it helps us to be more involved deeply in the learning process and helps us sharpen our skills in it. What say?

The learning is on both ways, to learn by oneself and from other people. Good day!

It depends on the person. Even if you learn independently or taught by some one else, without your encouragement, nothing works. The best thing is to put your maximum effort to learning , so that you will never fail. That s the secret of good learning.