iPods...friend or foe?

Our school has banned all MP3 players. I have often thought that this was a bit "much" but never had much to back up my feelings....until now:)
Bare with me.....this is a circuitous route to my point.....
I was talking with my sister - in-law (who is also a teacher) today about purchasing a "white noise| machine to help my toddler sleep through my infants cries...sad I know! Anyhow, she went on to tell me how many years ago she used "white noise" to help a child diagnosed with ADD in her classroom. She got a FM/AM radio cassette player and found a station that didn't come in. The student was allowed to listen to the static, with headphones on while doing work. She went on to tell what a dramatic difference it made for all the students in her class.
This case got me thinking about the ongoing squabble we have with today's students and iPods and MP3 players. A few years ago students in my school were permitted iPods while working in class but could not "use" them during tests or assessments. Many students complained bitterly that they had gotten used to listening to their music and were sooo distracted at test time they found it impossible to do their best on their assessment.
Today students are listening to digital audio more than ever, but we have banned the use of these devises at our school as many teachers see them only as disrupting,
Perhaps we should mention that today's learners have grown up plugged in, a contrast to the silent kitchen table i did my homework at every evening. Many students need this "noise" to be able to focus.

If you have a few minutes please see the link below this outlines some of the benefits of having iPods available to your spec education students.
www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/62763.aspx