"Can't talk right now...... I'm in class"

Sorry kids - I don't like the idea of cell phones in the classroom. I think one of my reasons for banning cell phones comes from a quote on the pro-cell argument - "Cell phones can be audio recorders, digital video camcorders,still cameras, note-taking devices, calculation devices..." It sounds like the perfect cheating device. I agree that it can help some students who might have some difficulties in class, but I'm more inclined to believe that it just encourages more and more students to let technology do all the work. I like Josh Allen's quote that "The goal of an educational setting should be to give students the proper tools to succeed once they step into
society." Students focus on read and writing skills in school, not T9 skills. I see cell phones as one big distraction to students. Large private conversations could be taking place or priority over the lesson. Plus - still not all students have fancy cell phones that are able to do all the things that one of the authors mentioned.
I'm sorry cell phones - but you're out! I'll make sure to let parents know what my cell phone policy is, so everyone is aware of the rules before class starts. I think using cell phones in the class is just not very good or even effective - there are just too many other/better options for using tech.