That's true of the current ones, but I think the idea is to develop it into a kit with case, manuals, pre-loaded software, etc. to support some sort of programming or robotics curriculum.
Personally, I think it would be neat if the R-Pi could be made into a graphing calculator, which most kids need for their math classes any way (actually they don't need it, but are required to have them). That way, it can be a bog standard calculator by day, and a full Linux workstation by night (after plugging in display/keyboard).
Having just graduated high school a few years ago, I'd say graphic calculators are sort of needed. Most of the time a simpler calculator would do the job and having a $100 Texas Instruments is just a luxury because they're better laid out and show a history of operations like a terminal. Even when graphing and matrices were part of the curriculum, those things can all be done by hand if you really have a lot of time, but it would be harder to learn that stuff without a reference to compare yourself to.
TBH I think books, calculators, computers, and basically every other tool kids use in school will soon be replaced by the iPad, or a similar device. If someone can make a cheaper alternative with R-Pi that catches on (very doable), well great.
I think something more fun for kids would be (apart from the obvious game platform) some kind of communication device. Something like walkie-talkies.. but maybe communicating via IR LEDs with morse code rather than voice. Another idea is using the R-Pi as a counter for a LaserTag-like game.
I've had this project in my head to build a graphing calculator thats a full Linux workstation for some time. It'd be really nice if the display and keyboard could be in the device to start with. Ya know, so I could walk around and use the thing.
Personally, I think it would be neat if the R-Pi could be made into a graphing calculator, which most kids need for their math classes any way (actually they don't need it, but are required to have them). That way, it can be a bog standard calculator by day, and a full Linux workstation by night (after plugging in display/keyboard).