Using Cell Phone Cameras as Art Tools...

I am going to a teacher job fair tomorrow ("Education Recruitment Event") so I will keep this brief... I read a few weeks ago on The Tempered Radical a quote about how we work to get funding to get computers for our students yet we ignore the fact that our students have them in their pockets already.

Reflecting on this, I have been struggling with the idea of how to get photography equipment in a classroom with limited resources. Yet we hear everyday a new story of how the ever-present photo technologies are causing some sort of mischief (best case) or trouble (worst case). What if we harnessed this technology, the .02 to 2.3 megapixel photography equipment that nearly everyone has to teach photography skills? Documentary-style photography, a la Weegee? Or even staged events, like the images of Jeff Wall? How about the almost-comforting repetition and conformity found in contemporary industrial and retail settings (see Andreas Gursky)?

Now, I am aware of the potential downfalls and problems possible. But with any technology, that possibility is in existence. Including "regular" digital cameras (point and shoot, digital SLR, etc.). Should we not teach students how to use these gifts responsibly? I have taught at sites where the students were given more freedom with X-Acto knives than with their cell phones. If rules are carefully crafted and adhered to, then might this become a non-issue?