Computer as Pacifier

For the first time today the kids are eager to engage in constructive activity; you’d think they were playing musical chairs from their mad scramble to take seats at their respective terminals. The children are more respectful to each other in the computer lab, amiably coaching each other on how to best search for information and recommending their favorite websites. Derek goes directly to an online gaming site that he likes, while Diquan uses Google Image Search to look for pictures of exotic snakes. Tony has a minimal grasp on the rules of chess and isn’t very good at the game but he likes playing it online anyway. Corey is typing the names of his favorite rappers into Google and clicking links somewhat arbitrarily, mostly looking at the pictures that appear as the pages load.

Wow, a quote from School of Hard Knocks. Described by the author as;
"In 2008 I spent some time working in a special classroom for kids with behavior problems in one of Philadelphia's most notorious public high schools, in one of the city's worst neighborhoods. The experience resulted in an seven part web series that tells in great detail what it's like to be inside room 315."

Read the whole series, it's great.