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Research Profile: Note Passing

blntmaker

on May 10, 2007

Note passing in class is a hallmark in schools all across the world. Typically, this activity is practiced during dull moments in class, cases of emergency (which usually means a dire need to gossip), or, by unethical standards, to cheat on an exam.
Today, students make use of electronic devices like iPods, cell phones, Sidekicks, Palm held devices, laptops or any means of "instant messaging".
However, before technology advances, the basic practice of passing a note in class was and still is only as sophisticated as using a pen, pencil or piece of paper, folding the note (sometimes using geometrically complex folds with tab indicators to open the note), and using evasive means to pass the note on to a classmate. Some of these techniques include:
-Rolling the note in a non-operational pen and passing it.

-Placing the note in a book and passing it.

-Stretching you hand out and dropping the note in the hand/desk of the recipient.

-Pretending to walk over to the trash can or pencil sharpener, all while dropping off the note to the recipient.

-First, hide the note behind the toilet. Then you and the recipient sequentially make use of the bathroom to trade-off information.

-Plot a diversion; have a friend act-out or fake an illness to distract the teacher (one of few elaborate techniques) practiced.
Using a technique that requires a means of aerial delivery (i.e. folding the note into a paper airplane, paper football) or even faking a sneeze and using the force of that sneeze to toss the note, are considered high-risk techniques.

Ideally, to avoid having a note intercepted by a teacher or an unintended recipient, it is in the best interest of the sender to use a highly elusive/low-risk technique. The key to passing a note effectively involves keeping a poker face at all times and having a contingent plan (Plan B) ready to implement in case you do get caught or if you failed to pass on the information in a timely manner.