I think a short course of classes is a good idea. It's one of those things where it's easier to pick up the technical side of it if someone is there telling you/showing you on your own camera rather than reading through books. Taking a good photograph is more than just technical settings, you need a good eye for it, if someone decent is teaching you, they can give you pointers on how to improve your pictures.

Because it's a digital camera it'll be piss to learn. I remember using different settings on my normal SLR and then by the time i'd developed the film (by myself) i'd forget what setting i'd used. I just made them up when I submitted exam work.