Computer Science · Hardware & Systems

Input, Output, & Peripherals

It's a two-way conversation! Input devices send your information into the computer, and output devices send the computer's answer back to you.
🔁How You Talk to a Computer
INPUT ⌨️ 🖱️ 🎤 you → computer COMPUTER 💻 thinks & processes OUTPUT 🖥️ 🔊 🖨️ computer → you in out Input → Process → Output
📥Input vs. Output Devices
📥INPUTsends data IN ➜
in
⌨️Keyboard — sends letters & numbers
🖱️Mouse — sends clicks & movement
🎤Microphone — sends sound in
📥 Goes INTO the computer
📤OUTPUT➜ shows results OUT
out
🖥️Monitor — displays images
🔊Speakers — play sound
🖨️Printer — makes paper copies
📤 Comes FROM the computer
📱 A touchscreen does BOTH at once!
Your finger tap goes in = INPUT 👆
The picture it shows = OUTPUT 🖼️
So it is an input AND output device!
🔌Sensors & Plugging In
📡 Sensors = special inputs
🌡️ 🏃 💡 temperature motion light SENSOR 💻
A sensor detects the world (heat, movement, light) and feeds it in. It's how a phone knows to rotate when you turn it sideways!
🔗 Two ways to connect
USB wired 🔌 Bluetooth wireless 📶
A peripheral is any extra device you plug in around the outside — by USB cable or wireless Bluetooth.
🔑Key Terms
📥Input Device Hardware that sends data INTO the computer (keyboard, mouse).
📤Output Device Hardware that shows information FROM the computer (monitor, speaker).
🔌Peripheral Any external device you connect around the outside of the computer.
📡Sensor An input device that detects changes in the environment, like motion or light.
🔗USB Universal Serial Bus — a common port that connects peripherals by cable.
📶Bluetooth A wireless technology that connects devices over short distances.
Remember: INPUT goes IN (you → computer) and OUTPUT comes OUT (computer → you). A touchscreen does both at once!
✏️ Computer Science Anchor Chart · Input, Output, and Peripherals
From ClickClass — hundreds of free printables at clickclassedu.com/printables