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Hardware heroes

Which way is the information travelling?

# Input and output **Input devices** send information *into* the computer. **Output devices** send results *out* to you. ## Input Keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, microphone, camera, scanner, joystick. ## Output Monitor, printer, speaker, headphones, projector. ## Both A touchscreen is input (you tap) and output (it shows pictures). A headset can be both if it has a mic. ## IPO story You type “2 + 3” (input). The program adds (process). The screen shows 5 (output). > Classroom trick: point at any device and shout “IN!” or “OUT!” — you will get fast at this. ## Follow the arrow, not the furniture Students mix this up when they think “outside the metal box = output”. Wrong test. **Test:** does information travel **into** the computer, or **out** to the world? ``` YOU ----input----> COMPUTER ----output----> YOU keys screen mic speaker camera printer ``` ### Process sits in the middle No input/output lesson is complete without process. The CPU + program sit between the arrows. A keyboard does not add 2+3. The program does.

By the end of this lesson

Sort everyday devices into input, output, or both, and tell an IPO story for typing 2+3.

Remember

  • Input devices send data in: keyboard, mouse, mic, camera, scanner, joystick, touch.
  • Output devices send results out: monitor, printer, speaker, headphones, projector.
  • Touchscreens and headsets with a mic are both.
  • A device can be input in one story and unused in another — look at the direction of information.
  • IPO: type 2+3 (in) → program adds (process) → screen shows 5 (out).

Worked examples

Cover the answer. Try the steps on paper, then open them.

Example 1 — Classroom shout

Keyboard, printer, speaker, camera, touchscreen — IN, OUT, or BOTH?

  1. Keyboard IN
  2. Printer OUT
  3. Speaker OUT
  4. Camera IN
  5. Touchscreen BOTH

Answer: IN, OUT, OUT, IN, BOTH

Check: Direction of information.

Example 2 — Headset

A headset with earcups and a boom mic.

  1. Mic: your voice goes in → input
  2. Earcups: music comes out → output
  3. Whole headset: both

Answer: both

Check: Name the part, not only the gadget.

Example 3 — Scanner vs printer

Which way do the pages travel?

  1. Scanner: paper picture → computer (input)
  2. Printer: computer → paper (output)

Answer: scanner in ; printer out

Check: Opposite directions.

Common mistakes

Slip Calling a monitor input because you look at it.

Fix Looking is not input to the computer. The monitor outputs light to you.

Input means data entering the machine.

Slip Calling a mouse output because it sits outside the box.

Fix The mouse sends movement in. “Outside” is not the meaning of output.

Follow the information.

Slip Forgetting the camera is input.

Fix A camera captures light and sends it in.

Same family as a mic, different sense.

Try on paper first

Write the answer, then tap Reveal. These are not the quiz — they are warm-ups.

1. Is a microphone input or output?

Answer: Input

2. Is a projector input or output?

Answer: Output

3. Name one both-device.

Answer: Touchscreen (or headset with mic)

4. In IPO, O stands for…

Answer: Output

Touch practice

9 tap / type

Tap or type. Use the hint if you need it. Retry any miss — the why is the lesson.

Optional picture lab

After practice

Real world

Mic in, speaker out.

Connect

input() and print() in Python.

⭐ Star quiz

9 questions

Do the worked examples and touch practice first. Then take the quiz without peeking.

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