>Did anyone else expect us to have something better by now?

Yes, and we have it. Its called general internet. You can pretty much learn advanced topics with the source material online. ChatGPT has made it easier to research. Even back in early 2010s when I was finishing my masters, I would often just google things online and find random webpages that explain the concepts better than professors could.

The biggest issue with learning is motivation, which you cannot put into people. If someone is motivated to do something, he/she will learn. Handholding someone doesn't really do anything in the long run.