Computer Systems

Lesson 4Input and Output devices

Less

on O

bjec

tives

This lesson will cover:

Some of the different types of input device.The tasks which would be performed by an input device.Identifying input devices in everyday life.Commonly used output devices.The differences in functionality between the main varieties of printer.Outputs that are audible or take the form of signals which control devices.

Starter

Open this PowerPoint and view it full-screenClick on this logo

and play any of the games to practice your knowledge.

Types of input devices

Classifying input devices

Point and click devices

Keyboard vs. concept keyboard

Optical Character Recognition

OCR, OMR, MICR

Tablets and graphics

What can you spot?

What can you remember?

Task 1

Open Input Devices document and try to complete all the questions as quick as possible.

Use this PowerPoint to help you if you become stuck.

Once complete you need to create a new folder in your user area and call it Computer Systems and save your work for this unit in there.

Output devicesOutput devices allow us to harness the processing power ofcomputers to produce the products we require.

Can you think of any output devices that have an impact on your daily life

Output devicesWhen a computer has finished processing information, the information needs to be output so that it can be used.

Monitors:are screens or Visual Display Units (VDUs)display the effects of what the user is doingcan vary in size and resolution.

Sometimes we just need to see the information on screen or on paper. We can use a monitor or a printer.

Printers:produce a paper copy of the user’s work: a ‘hard copy’come in three main types: laser, inkjet and dot matrix. Some businesses also use plotters.

Visual output – light

Inkjet and laser printers

Plotters

PlottersTraditional plotters work by moving pensover the surface of a page.They were originally used for printing technical drawings made up of lines.Modern plotters tend to be big inkjetprinters that can print up to A0 in size.They are expensive to buy and run, and they tend to be used by architects, design firms and engineers.

This small plotter is fitted with a blade rather than a pen. It can cut letters and nets for 3D shapes like boxes. It is used mostly for craft purposes.

3D printing3D printers are increasingly being used in many industries. They can produce rapid prototypes or models in very short periods of time.

Look at the following video. What uses for 3D printers are there in modern business?

3D printers are quite expensive, but if they become cheaper they could become a common place household item.

What uses could 3D printers have in the home?

Audible output – soundSometimes we need to hear information, so we use audible output devices.

Speakers:are used to output sound, whether it is music or voicevary a lot in qualityare built into some monitors.

Headphones:work in the same way as speakerscan be cordlessare used for personal listening.

Signal output – control

Sometimes we want to control something, so we send a signal to a motor or to a switch that is part of another device, like a robotic arm or a computerized sewing machine.

Can you think of any other output devices in your home and school that are controlled by sending electronic signals?

What can you remember?

Task 2

Open Output Devices document and try to complete all the questions as quick as possible.

Use this PowerPoint to help you if you become stuck.

save your work into the folder that you created earlier in your user area.

Plen

ary

Some of the different types of input device.The tasks which would be performed by an input device.Identifying input devices in everyday life.Commonly used output devices.The differences in functionality between the main varieties of printer.Outputs that are audible or take the form of signals which control devices.