I think patterns are an easier way to teach the fretboard. At first it will limit your creativity but it also opens up the door to many more possibilities.

Many people that begin to play, learn by books or the internet, generally learn one key of one scale. They don't understand how to move that "pattern" up and down the fretboard. Once you understand the pattern, and the NOTES that make up that pattern it becomes much easier. It's also easier to change keys once you know the "patterns."

After you have grasped the idea of the patterns, it gives you an idea of how to use them to your advantage.