Self-education, self-study, or self-directed learning: "Autodidacticism is 'learning on your own' or 'by yourself' even to the extent of spending a great deal of time on educational web sites or buying books that deal with a vocational field that is of special interest."

"Autodidactism is just one way of learning, and it is usually complemented by learning in formal and informal settings; such as, classrooms, friends, family, social settings, and experts or people with special training."