A help desk call
A user rings the help desk: "I press the keys and nothing appears." Is the keyboard broken? Or is the screen not showing it? To find out, you must know which way the data goes: in or out.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Input device | sends data into a computer | a keyboard |
| Output device | shows or plays data from a computer | a printer |
| Sensor | a device that measures something in the real world | a temperature sensor |
| Resolution | how many tiny dots make up a picture | 1920 by 1080 |
| Embedded device | a small computer hidden inside a machine |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can sort devices into input, output and sensor, and say what each one is used for.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
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Your answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Input devices send data in
An input device sends data into a computer. You press, speak, point or scan, and the computer receives it.
Common input devices
| Device | What it sends in | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Letters and numbers | Typing emails and reports |
| Mouse or trackpad | Pointer movement and clicks | Choosing things on screen |
| Touch screen | Where your finger touches | Phones, tablets and shop tills |
| Microphone | Sound | Calls and voice commands |
| Webcam | Moving pictures | Video meetings |
| Scanner | A picture of a page | Turning paper into files |
| Barcode reader | The number in a barcode | Shop tills and stock checks |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
3 questionsHave a go: your answers are marked here and then forgotten. Sign in if you would like your score kept, and to pick up where you left off.Sign in to keep your score
Your answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.