Technology on a school bus

 

(photo credit - NYT)

Any high schooler heading to school on a big yellow bus does not need the Internet during the ride. Period. Technology is certainly necessary within a classroom and in a study space, but a school bus? The New York Times education reporter, Sam Dillon, wrote a story about a high school in Vail, Ariz. where the district has been experimenting with technology on one of their bus routes. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/education/12bus.html

That sounds well and good perhaps for adults. But is it necessary on a school bus ride or in between varsity soccer matches? Aren't bus rides great for sleeping, day dreaming or goofing off? 

Having never ridden a yellow bus to school for any portion of my schooling, I may not be the best judge of how to interact on a school bus. A long time ago in a world far away from Boston, I wrote a story about a bus ride down the Big Sur coastline. The driver started his day at 5a.m. and had the pleasure of driving a bus load of middle school children and high school children up to schools in Carmel, Calif. Part of the ride was the community on the bus. It was the children sleeping and talking. It was whispering and batting of eyelashes. 

I think it might be great for the driver to not be distracted, but I'd imagine part of the job is witnessing adolescence and the transformation children will make from year-to-year. 

Oh, technology how we yearn to use you and navigate our lives at the same time.