We have been with TDAmeritrade for a long time. They have an educational affiliate named Investtools. You can get educational credits when you contribute or roll-over into your TDAmeritrade account. The training is very good, and you get an on-line community with whom you can discuss trading plans.
The purpose of a self-directed IRA is to allow the account holder to invest in non-traditional things like real estate, physical gold, etc. I've learned that none of the big brokerage firms want to have anything to do with those things. They really just want you to invest in securities like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.