Choosing a suitable input device for a context

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. A call centre needs to record what customers say during phone calls. Which input device is most suitable?

A Keyboard, because it captures sound

B Microphone, because it captures sound

2. A supermarket wants staff to quickly identify each product at the till. Which input device is most suitable?

A Barcode scanner, because it reads the product code quickly and accurately

B Digital camera, because it reads the product code quickly and accurately

3. An architect wants to turn a real model of a house into a digital file that shows its height, width and depth. Which is better?

A 3D scanner, because it captures the shape of a 3D object

B 2D scanner, because it captures the shape of a 3D object

4. A student needs to type a long essay for coursework. Which choice is better justified?

A Microphone, because it enters text more accurately than a keyboard

B Keyboard, because it enters text quickly and accurately

5. A user who cannot use their hands wants to write emails. Which input device suits their situation best?

A Microphone, because they can speak and the words can be converted to text

B Keyboard, because they can speak and the words can be converted to text

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Barcode scanner for a supermarket checkout		AThis gives no reason and uses the wrong device. A barcode scanner is better because it quickly reads product codes.
23D scanner for copying a statue		BCaptures a product code quickly and accurately, so there is no need to type it in
3The data needed is sound, so choose a device that captures sound and say why		CCaptures the shape and size of a real object so a model can be made of it
4The user needs to select items on a small screen with their fingers, so choose a direct-input device and justify it		DA keyboard captures typed text, not sound. A microphone is needed because the data is sound.
5To record a speech, use a keyboard.		EMicrophone, because it captures sound for a voice recording
6A digital camera is the best input device for a shop till.		FTouch screen, because the user can tap items directly without a mouse

Definitions

suitable input device

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Data needed: sound Input device: __________

Use a keyboard _______ it enters text

Data needed: the shape of a solid object Input device: __________

Use a camera because it captures ______

Shop till needs speed: use a _______ scanner

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A data ← "sound"

B IF data = "sound" THEN

C device ← "speaker"

D ENDIF

E OUTPUT device

Question 2

A need = "code"

B device ← "barcode scanner"

C why ← "because it reads code"

D OUTPUT device, why

Question 3

A task ← "draw"

B IF task = "draw" THEN

C device ← "barcode scanner"

D ENDIF

Question 4

A data ← "image"

B device ← "keyboard"

C OUTPUT "Use a " & device

Question 5

A need ← "3D shape"

B device ← "2D scanner"

C OUTPUT device

Answer Key

Choosing a suitable input device for a context

Section A: Quick Questions

B — Microphone, because it captures sound

A — Barcode scanner, because it reads the product code quickly and accurately

A — 3D scanner, because it captures the shape of a 3D object

B — Keyboard, because it enters text quickly and accurately

A — Microphone, because they can speak and the words can be converted to text

Section B: Match the Pairs

Barcode scanner for a supermarket checkout → Captures a product code quickly and accurately, so there is no need to type it in

3D scanner for copying a statue → Captures the shape and size of a real object so a model can be made of it

The data needed is sound, so choose a device that captures sound and say why → Microphone, because it captures sound for a voice recording

The user needs to select items on a small screen with their fingers, so choose a direct-input device and justify it → Touch screen, because the user can tap items directly without a mouse

To record a speech, use a keyboard. → A keyboard captures typed text, not sound. A microphone is needed because the data is sound.

A digital camera is the best input device for a shop till. → This gives no reason and uses the wrong device. A barcode scanner is better because it quickly reads product codes.

Section C: Definitions

suitable input device — The input device that best captures the data needed and suits the user's situation. Justify it with 'because'. E.g. a microphone because it captures sound.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Data needed: sound
Input device: microphone

Use a keyboard because it enters text

Data needed: the shape of a solid object
Input device: 3D scanner

Use a camera because it captures images

Shop till needs speed: use a barcode scanner

Section E: Spot the Error

C — A speaker is an output device. To capture sound the student must choose an input device, so the line should be device ← "microphone".

A — Pseudocode assigns a value with the ← arrow, not =. The line should be need ← "code".

C — Drawing needs the position of a pen to be captured, so a barcode scanner is unsuitable. A graphics tablet is the better choice: device ← "graphics tablet".

B — A keyboard captures typed text, not images. To capture an image the device should be a digital camera.

B — A 2D scanner only captures flat images. To capture the shape of a solid object you need a 3D scanner.