Ground school is an essential part of becoming a pilot. All aircraft pilot start in the same place learning the same information, but what is it that you learn? Where do you learn it and from whom? 

All good questions, deffinitely, but it depends largely on where you are getting your pilot trainig.  Some pilot academies may require you to take classroom based ground school complete with presentations and notes and even homework. Other Certified Pilot Instructors (CPIs) may be okay with you doing it yourself at home. If thats the case, you will be required to take a practice test for your instructor and then they will give approval to take the national test