Most students are probably not attending school because they really want to be. You're in school because you have to be. Because your parents told you to, or

Most students are probably not attending school because they really want to be. You're in school because you have to be. Because your parents told you to, or because you think a degree or certificate will improve your job or salary prospects, or some other goal. In this context, schools and classes and learning are the means, and not the goal. Self-directed learning is far more interesting and productive (for me). That might involve local or college classes, iTunes U or any number of other resources including classes from Stanford or MIT, or hacking away with some hardware or software, or finding somebody to ask questions of. I'm learning because I want to, and all the interesting stuff is always off in the weeds.