Intelligent Self Direction

To me, intelligent self-direction means that some way some how I can learn things on my own. I have the ability as a student to learn something on my own, but there is an ingredient that I need. This ingredient is a teacher. I believe that a teacher is needed only to help guide you on this direction. It is obvious that a teacher knows a lot, and if he/she doesn't then at least that person knows a little bit about something. The intelligent self-direction will not work unless you have some guidance. But too much guidance would just counter the idea of self-direction.