Learning things on your own...

[smooth_operator]

I was wondering if one would learn best if they taught themselves, rather than learning through a classroom environment?

For example, I tried to enroll in a Japanese language course in college, but the class was apparently filled that semester. So what did I do?

I taught myself!

Granted, it took a lot of work and dedication to get me to learn a language myself, but I felt that I learn better since I pace myself and I study my own material (buying books, discovering online tutorials, communicating with a Japanese friend, etc). In a few months I was able to understand Japanese better than my friend who completed JAP-122 (first year Japanese).

Understanding Japanese that way was easier than saying wakarimashta!

I guess people learn at different paces and styles, but it certainly is possible to learn curriculum by yourself if you have absolute patience.

[Ingemar]

Hmm, do that if you want.

Generally, I tend not to learn something (let alone on my own) unless I absolutely need to. As much as I like anime, I haven't bothered learning Japanese because anime is still very much a niche market even in this country, and apart from emigrating to the Islands (which, if I do so, probably won't do out of need), has no practical application.

I once tried to teach myself ancient Greek, but got distracted.

[Slater]

taught myself html... as well as pretty much everything else I know about computers

[TrigunX89]

I taught myself basic html as well. I have now forgotten most of what I knew lol. I also tried learning Japanese on my own, but lost motivation and stopped trying. So what's the point of what I'm saying? Umm well I don't really know. I guess whatever works for you is best. I need structure and something to motivate me.

[Cap'n Nick]

I taught myself Japanese as well, so I could graduate from college faster. I also taught myself a number of computer languages to help with my job. Right now I'm studying Greek and Hebrew to cut out some of the time and money I would have to spend learning them at the seminary.

Self study can be a great way to give your education a kick in the pants, but it does have its disadvantages. When you teach yourself, you're essentially compiling a teacher from whatever resources you can find. If you do a poor job of this, not only is your education ruined, you might not even find out until you're in a performance situation.

[Technomancer]

On the whole, I prefer the discipline and structure of a classroom environment, which also provides enough motivation to overcome distractions. However, most of the learning I do now is self-directed as a matter of necessity since there aren't really any classes on the subject (or not in the needed depth), and in any event I'm supposed to be doing original research anyways. That said, it's a lot easier to teach yourself mathematical concepts than to learn a modern language on your own.

[Mave]

I self-taught drawing/mangakaing/Photoshoping, Chinese and basic HTML. I generally dislike a classroom environment, which takes out all the fun out of learning especially with all the pressue and competitiveness going on.

I like to learn according to my own pace, not what the average of the class is. All in all, learning is best when I know that there's a meaningful purpose and strong motivation in it.

[ShiroiHikari]

I taught myself most of what I know about Japanese. I'm still not very good at it, I'm a novice at best, but it's because I don't study it much anymore. To finish learning it, I'm going to need structure, discipline, and someone with experience. I can usually only teach myself so much of a thing before I need someone to help me.

[Joshua Christopher]

I... um.

Wow, I don't know anything.

I learned a Japanese program (EasyToon), but that was through a process of trial-and-error.

And, uh... nope, I don't have any skills.

[TurkishMonky]

I've taught myself a host of computer languages, basic electronics/computer modding, and ancient mongolian history.... not to mention how to draw (alright, i did take 1 architectural drafting class), make wooden broadswords, make chainmail, make trebuchets (minerature, of course)... Teaching yourself is the way to go unless you need structuture or help understanding a concept.

BTW, i can't seem to get other languages at all - from a book or a teacher (i spent 2 weeks in another country (Brazil), 1 of which was living in a real brazilian city, and going to a brazilian church, being immensed in brazilian culture, and however hard i tried i ended up only learning two Portugese words - Si and Nao. Pretty much the same result after a year of spanish/german/latin/hosting 2 Russian kids)

[agasfas]

Depending on what I'm learning, my perferences change.

Anything related to computers, I'm a self taught person: html, photoshop etc...
Also, things in the athletics category such as football, basketball I taught myself too.

Things like math, science and history I learn better in a class environment where I have a chance to ask a teacher/professor if I need help.

Aside from school related topics, I tend to do better in a self taught environment.

[Anna Mae]

I enjoy learning on my own and being instructed. Often I don't care for classrooms because in many cases they are crushingly dull because they are so easy (like when we spent all year learning a concept that I understood on the first day they taught it). I like to try to figure out things on my own first just to stretch my mind, but then I usually ask someone else what they think. The method I like best is one-on-one. That way I can work at my own pace.

[Aeolus21]

I've taught myself many useful things that I wouldn't do so well at in a classroom environment. Photography was a thing that was self-taught, but I had the help of a few personal mentors from the family (so I guess that would still count). There's also Photoshop and a lot of the computer languages that I am struggling to get by on my own. Not really a struggle per se, but more of a 'challange' knowing how to pace myself.

Really the classroom environment works best for different individuals. Like one person mentioned, there are many things a teacher can tell you in a semester that you can easily learn in a week. Especially when the teacher\professor is busy keeping pace the other students.

[Jasdero]

Self-learning has been a plus, in my case. I'm able to go through courses/lessons quite quickly, so I was often ahead of others in my classroom. I do like learning in a classroom environment, though. Group discussions have always been enjoyable. If I had a choice... I think I would rather learn with others. Sometimes there are those students that hold a class back from progressing as quickly as would have been possible, but if they're really trying, the best thing to do is support them. \ ^__^ / I really like that environment.

[Alice]

I taught myself to write stories, pretty much. Some books, some advice, but mostly trial and error.