Does banning cell phones in school cause more problems than integrating them?

"Thomas" a student who read my blog, posted this comment:

"The whole having to hide the cell phone is really why so many students are not able to pay attention. If we were allowed our cell phones as we work, we would pay a lot more attention, since we don't have to keep glancing down at the cell phone we are currently hiding under a table. I am able to avoid the whole messaging thing during school, but if they allowed it i have the feeling my grades would go higher, and my learning would improve"

What are your thoughts? Do you think that by not allowing cell phones in the classroom it causes more issues with distraction than by allowing them?

Current Trends in the Business World With Text Message

In order for schools to prepare student to be productive citizens and works in the 21st century, it is important to understand the current technology trends in the business world. According to the United Business Wire the following are some popular ways that businesses are using text messaging.

1) Promotional Campaigns

Many companies are using text messaging aim at providing an immediate and interactive experience with a brand via a consumer's mobile phone. Some examples include; contests, voting, surveys, customer satisfaction research, or in-store campaign.

Examples:

Mobile Advertising

http://www.mojiva.com/

Mobile Gift Giving

http://www.giiv.com/

http://www.kangogift.com/

2) Scheduling appointments

Text messaging is becoming the standard way of confirming appointments, scheduling and sending out appointment reminders.

Example:

http://www.timecenter.com/

3) Promoting Properties

Real Estate agents use text messaging as a convenient way to communicate with prospective buyers by sending them information about a new property on the market. Often through a "keyword" campaign where the keyword is posted by properties for sale and in advertisements.

Example:

http://www.forsalebytxt.com/

Companies NEED workers to create and manage these mobile campaigns and markets! Schools need to prepare students to work in this business world.