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but nothing will replace collaboration, student interaction, tutoring, and individual instruction.

I am an engineer, and I honestly believe that I taught myself everything. The people who wrote the books are the ones who gave me an education, and I am forever grateful for all those authors. The classroom in college (high school was helpful) did nothing for me.

My model on education is that almost all meaningful education (especially in math) is self taught and comes from within. Khan academy scores well in the paradigm of mine.

Note: Some things, such as medical doctors, obviously require good teaching to do correctly. However, most math, physics, and engineering is not really taught by outside tutors. It comes from internal drive and good material, at least in my experience.

-— I am an engineer, and I honestly believe that I taught myself everything. The people who wrote the books are the ones who gave me an education, and I am forever grateful for all those authors. The classroom in college (high school was helpful) did nothing for me.——

I went to engineering school and I couldn’t agree more. HS was pretty much useless to me to.

I wasn’t a born engineer, so I left the field after graduating. I’m a born philosopher/artist, and make my living as an artist, never having taken a formal lesson. I also believe that I know Aristotelean/Scholastic philosophy better than most philosophy majors.

I learned philosophy by reading St. Thomas directly, and from his leading contemporary exponent, Peter Kreeft. Where would I receive better instruction? And where else could I test my understanding better than in the crucible of on-line argumentation?

The fact is, mass-schooling is hopelessly outmoded and archaic.

You hit the mark with "internal drive." There is no doubt that many students can do a self-study program and succeed. I suspect the majority would fail if not for a structured setting b/c they lack the drive and motivation to pursue.

Consider doctoral programs. The years up to candidacy are usually filled with coursework. Then the dissertation phase kicks in and many students never complete the research. They must manage their time, commitments, and resources with little structure other than what is self-imposed. Many ABDs out there. Are they dumb? I think some are brilliant, but they missed that structure. Perhaps they lean on it too much given most had this format during primary, secondary, higher ed.

I also believe that student interaction enriches the learning environment. We can earn a degree through self-study, but our education comes from reflection, practice, and application (including with others....at least in my view.

Would be an interesting topic to research. The current structure is ripe for change. Video learning would have helped me in school and I believe it's a great resource....along with books, practice, labs, and classroom support (not just physical, could be logical/virtual classrooms). I just don't think videos are a panacea and they will not replace traditional classrooms. Augment, perhaps.