Dont get me wrong, the Pi is an excellent geek toy, but unless it gets a good customized educational geared distro, it destined to loose traction in the eductaional market due to the heavy competition involved in that area.
My kids prefer their pc and its software, because it runs without hiccups or delays and it provides an overall much better experience out of the box.
Maybe if as suggested, I put a couple of neon lights in it, and make them starve a little...
