As we gradually develop our understanding of good teaching practices, the top teachers are getting better. They are experimenting with ideas and theories to see what works, and as a result, their teaching is improving.
An example would be the idea that different students have different preferential senses that they think with. Someone with a preference for the kinaesthetic sense, for example, would learn better by doing an activity that explains a concept rather than having the concept explained to them.
As long as the teachers are intelligent about it and don't blindly follow a specific method the students will certainly benefit.
But improvements should not only be encouraged in teachers, but also in students.
A problem with twisting material so that it fits a particular student's learning style is that the information won't quite make as much sense as it would in its untwisted form. Learning music, for example, is often stressful for students that haven't developed a good ear for music. It is possible to teach in a mechanical manner, but this will always be more difficult.
And there are many more reasons individuals should be encouraged to become better students...
Teacher's expectations
Studies (such as the Pygmalion Study) have shown that teacher's expectations can affect student's results. The teacher subconsciously treats a student differently if they are expected to do poorly, and this negatively affects the student's performance. For a student to persist where they are expected to fail, it is important that they have developed enough self-belief in their potential.
Teacher won't be around forever
Another factor is where the teacher doesn't have an influence. In homework, for example, the teacher is obviously not around. The student must, therefore, learn to study independently.
The older we get, the more independent we are expected to become. At university most the work is independent study. The tutors also generally have less time to work with the students. After university this independence only deepens. And as one grows up they will encounter numerous situations where information isn't presented to them in an easily digestible manner.
The Students must adapt
Good teaching, needs to be balanced with independent study and investment by the student in becoming a better student. It is the task of teachers to gradually help students become independent learners. But as a student (even if you are not formally a student), it is in your interest to take control and learn the best strategies to fulfil your learning goals.
The beauty of the human race is that we are able to adapt to new situations. We are also able to adapt the environment to meet our needs. But when we do, we become weaker. Such an occurrence is easily seen in the number of obese in the general populous. But we can also see declines in the vocabulary sections of IQ caused by decreases in the need to read. Don't let better teachers make you a weaker student.