Computer studies as life skills as an alternative to computer science is a valid, relevant and useful area of study at secondary school. The following transactions gave me pause to think about what our students need to be thinking about in the future…
1. Making micro payments online, in the above case to Apple. Who do you trust with your credit card? (Actually given recent events (WINZ, ACC) who do you trust with your personal information.)
2. Making payments where a convenience fee is charged, this time for making a payment to a government agency. Will their remain cheaper alternatives for those people with few resources?
Helping our students engage with online transactions, charges, security and safety is becoming increasingly important.
edwin bruce, teacher 