(Mobile) payment apps

What is an app?

An app is a piece of software on a phone or computer that a user can download through the internet. An app can be used for many reasons such as:

• playing games
• getting directions
• browsing a store
• accessing eBooks
• accessing news
• accessing weather
• accessing banking

e-wallets

Today, with technology that involves smartphones, people can pay for items by using their phones. This is possible because of an app called an e-wallet, or electronic wallet.

Individuals can take a picture of their credit card or debit card and store it on their electronic wallet. This means that instead of taking out a credit card to tap or insert into the payment device, the payment device identifies the scanned information of the credit card or bank number.

Examples of apps used for payment

Banks have their own apps, this means that banking customers can access their debit/bank account or credit card to make payments on a computer or smartphone.

The following are just some of the companies that have their own online payment systems:

• Google Pay
• PayPal
• gas stations
• restaurants
• grocery and hardware stores
• delivery services like Uber and Skip the Dishes

In each of these cases, the company’s app asks for credit card information in order to use the online payment system. This is to ensure that people can pay for the items or services bought so that the company does not lose any money.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Create or share, if possible, a list of companies or organizations that might be able o benefit from an online payment system.

Record your ideas in the following fillable and printable document Online Payments. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or using another method of your choice.

Businesses or Organizations	How or why online payment is a good idea

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Online Payments. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Positives and negatives of payment apps

Explain some advantages of paying through an app. Record your response in a format of your choice.

• What are some possible downsides of paying through an app?
• What are some possible advantages of paying through an app?

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Discussion

You are going to use the information that you learned in this activity and create an awareness advertisement for payment apps.

Return to your responses you recorded in the previous activity. What are the advantages and disadvantages of payment apps? Who can use them? What should people be aware of?

Your advertisement can be a radio, podcast, TV, or computer advertisement. It could be a poster or something visual that you create.

Be sure to review yourself or discuss, if possible, what you need to include before you begin.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts I have a very good understanding of the concepts I have some understanding but need to review some more my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.