I think she's got a point.
Although we have so many resources at our disposal in large part due to regular access to the Internet, it can still remain difficult to learn if you're starting from zero. So many resources out there assumes you already have basic knowledge of something, but, in reality, the definition of what basic knowledge is differs from resource to resource.
I've had my share of frustration trying to learn something new and coming across a wall because the quality of the various resources I'm using differs from one another. You can eventually make headway if you're stubborn enough, but most people may not have the time to do so because of other commitments.
In reality, having a guiding hand when you're first starting off is way more efficient in the long run. Once you get the basic idea down, that's when you can start learning independently on your initiative.