← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Output devices

A piece of hardware that shows or gives the results of processing to the user, such as a monitor, projector, speakers, headphones or printer.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 7, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.2 Input and Output Devices — Module 18, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 11, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 84

Understanding Output devices in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: A printer gives the user a physical paper copy of the results, so it is an output device. A touchscreen displays results as output, and it also senses touch as input. A monitor displays pictures and text from the computer. A keyboard is an input device. Speakers and headphones output sound. Recording sound is the job of an input device like a microphone. Speakers turn processed audio data into sound, presenting results to the user. Output devices present the results of processing, while a keyboard is used to enter data.

Common mistakes: A comma is missing between "plays" and sound. Items inside print() must be separated by commas: print(device, "plays", sound). Python is case-sensitive, so Print with a capital P is not a real function. It should be print(copies, doc, output).

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Learning
Duo
Which statement about output devices is correct?
An output device only sends data from the user into the computer.An output device presents the results of processing to the user.
Matches
A keyboard is an output device because it shows results to the user.
↓
A keyboard is an input device. It sends data into the computer. It does not present results. A monitor or printer is an output device.
Applying
Meanings
Term
output device
Meaning
A piece of hardware that shows or gives the results of processing to the user, such as a monitor, projector, speakers, headphones or printer.
Practice
Output device: shows results to the user
Testing
Gaps
input -> process ->
Check Answer
Spots
2sound = "beep"
3print(device, "plays" sound)

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement about output devices is correct?
A. An output device only sends data from the user into the computer.
B. An output device presents the results of processing to the user. ✓
Output devices show or give the results of processing. Input devices are the ones that send data in.
2. Which device is an output device?
A. A monitor ✓
B. A keyboard
A monitor displays pictures and text from the computer. A keyboard is an input device.
3. A teacher wants the whole class to see a slideshow on the wall. Which output device is the best choice?
A. A projector ✓
B. A microphone
A projector shows the computer's display on a large surface. A microphone is an input device.
4. How do speakers and headphones work as output devices?
A. They record sounds and send them to the computer to be processed.
B. They turn processed data into sound you can hear. ✓
Speakers and headphones output sound. Recording sound is the job of an input device like a microphone.
5. You want a paper copy of your finished poster. Which device gives you this output?
A. A printer ✓
B. A mouse
A printer outputs the results of processing onto paper. A mouse is an input device used to point and click.

Match the Pairs

monitor → An output device that displays the results of processing as pictures and text on a screen
speakers → An output device that plays the results of processing as sound for people in the room to hear
A device that turns processed data into a printed copy on paper → printer
A screen that is both an input and an output device because it shows results and senses touch → touchscreen
A keyboard is an output device because it shows results to the user. → A keyboard is an input device. It sends data into the computer. It does not present results. A monitor or printer is an output device.
Headphones are used to type in data for the computer to process. → Headphones are an output device. They play sound from the computer so only the user hears it. They do not send data in.

Key Term

output device
A piece of hardware that shows or gives the results of processing to the user, such as a monitor, projector, speakers, headphones or printer.

Fill in the Blanks

1. input -> process -> output
Hint: Type the stage where results are shown to the user.
2. headphones.play(sound)
Hint: Type the kind of result that headphones and speakers give to the user.
3. printer.print(document)
Hint: Type the output device that puts results onto paper.
4. touchscreen is input and output
Hint: Type the joining word that shows a touchscreen does both jobs.
5. projector.show(slides, wall)
Hint: Type the output device that shows a screen image on a wall.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A device = "speakers"
B sound = "beep"
C print(device, "plays" sound)
Line C — A comma is missing between "plays" and sound. Items inside print() must be separated by commas: print(device, "plays", sound).
Question 2
A output = "printer"
B doc = "report"
C copies = 2
D Print(copies, doc, output)
Line D — Python is case-sensitive, so Print with a capital P is not a real function. It should be print(copies, doc, output).
Question 3
A def display(device, image):
B print(image, "on", device)
C display("monitor", "photo"
Line C — The function call is missing its closing bracket. It should be display("monitor", "photo").
Question 4
A device = "projector"
B if device == "projector":
C size = "big screen"
D print("Shows on", Size)
Line D — The variable was created as size with a lowercase s, and Python is case-sensitive. Size does not exist, so it should be print("Shows on", size).
Question 5
A outs = ["keyboard", "printer"]
B for item in outs:
C print(item, "is output")
Line A — A keyboard is an input device, not an output device, so it should not be in the list of outputs. Use an output device such as "screen".

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