Any thing better to start learning with other than an arduino?
Two things: 

First, if you're trying to learn electronics in general then don't start with an Arduino. Arduino is a type of embedded system and doesn't really teach you anything about electronics. Just embedded software. Start with basic circuits like the 555 timer, try configuring it in astable mode, then bistable, then monostable. Identify the differences. Also try logic gates (AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, NOT) and see if you can configure the gates to perform a predetermined task. That's probably the best way to get started in electronics. 

Second, if you're really set on embedded systems, then try using AVR Studio to program the Arduino, not the miserable excuse for an IDE it comes with. AVR Studio will give you much more freedom and will allow you to work more closely to the hardware level, rather than just using basic library functions. You'll be able to work with the registers directly, manipulate bits, etc. That's my recommendation if you really want to work with embedded systems first, but like I said, you'd be better off starting with discrete ICs rather than with a microcontroller.