I'm torn. As a teacher, my initial reaction to the debate between banning or not cell phones was a resounding BAN BAN BAN. But then I did some research, that pesky research. Some parents claim that they need to get a hold of their children during school, that's bunk, there's enough other ways to do that. On the other side of things, many parents argue that because they did without cell phones than their kids should do so as well. That's ridiculous logic. According to that line of reasoning we should outlaw microwaves, cars, heart surgery, etc. just because a former generation didn't have them. But I'm still torn. I do believe that cell phones are a nuisance and distraction and I don't personally have or carry one. And yet, I'm beginning to think that there is a place for them, somewhere, in the classroom, I just don't know where it is yet. I also realize that this generation that I teach is a cell phone and ipod generation and for me to be fluent in their language and communicate well with them, I must understand cell phones. I think the best thing for me to do is let my students know why I stand against cell phones without preaching or railing on the technology. I am willing to make concessions if parents contact me but I will still ask that cell phones be turned off and out of sight during class. I wonder if there's a lesson I could teach that would allow me to allow them to use cell phones? Perhaps I need to think along those lines.