Well there is many ways in which you can learn the patterns - its all about finding which works for you.
I dont know, what the spider technique is (can you post me a link to the lesson, where Danilo mentions it?) but some others:
Either you can just drill them mindlessly.
You can use horizontal approach - learning 3 nps boxes and connecting them with slides from one to other (as seen here
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...sliding-lesson/ )
You can use vertical approach (i.e. boxes... that means scales starting from first, third, fifth and seventh on the thickest string)
You can also use the caged system (for major scale):
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonvie...ge.php?id=11546 (this is based on C, A, G, E and D open chords - the first and easiest chords you learnt)
There is much more ways, but those are the most common I think.
Also - which scale are you practicing, might I ask?