Abstract: A user-directed, machine-implemented learning system may include at least one processor, a memory including instructions for the processor, and a bus for providing communication between the processor and the memory. The memory may further include instructions for the processor, including instructions for presenting a plurality of selectable categories to a user, receiving an input from a user selecting one of the plurality of categories, and retrieving at least one data item with a learning target used in context in the data item. The data item corresponds to the selected category, and the use context explains the learning target, but the learning target is independent of the category.