Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Input Devices: Getting Information In
Review of keyboard and mouse as input devices.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify at least five different computer input devices.
Explain that input devices send information *to* the computer.
Match an input device to a specific task, like using a keyboard for typing.
Describe how an action on an input device creates an 'event' for the computer.
Categorize input devices by the type of information they send, such as text, sound, or pictures.
Give an example of how a touchscreen acts as an input device.
How does a computer know you want to play a game or watch a video? 🤔 It's not a mind reader!
We are going to learn about special tools called input devices. These are the parts you use to 'talk' to your computer and give it instructions. Learning about them helps us understand how we can control the mag...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Input DeviceA piece of computer hardware that you use to send information and commands *into* the computer.A keyboard is an input device because you use it to type letters and numbers into the computer.
InputThe information or data that you send to the computer.When you press the letter 'A' on your keyboard, the letter 'A' is the input.
CursorA small pointer or arrow on the screen that shows you where your mouse is pointing.You move the cursor with your mouse to click on an icon.
EventAn action that the computer can recognize, like a click or a key press.Clicking the 'play' button on a video creates a 'click event' that tells the computer to start the video.
DataA special word for information that computers can understand.The w...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The 'In' Rule
Input devices put information IN to the computer.
Always remember this simple rule to tell the difference between input and output devices. If you are using it to tell the computer something, it's an input device.
The Event Trigger Pattern
Your Action -> Input Device -> Computer Event
When you do something with an input device (like clicking a mouse), it creates a special signal called an event. The computer is always waiting for events to know what to do next.
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Challenging
You are helping design a new computer for a musician who writes and records songs. What combination of input devices would be BEST for them to get their musical ideas into the computer?
A.game controller and a webcam.
B.scanner and a regular mouse.
C.microphone and a musical (MIDI) keyboard.
D.printer and a standard computer keyboard.
Challenging
A barcode scanner at a store is an input device. When the cashier scans your cereal box, what kind of data is the scanner actually inputting into the computer?
A.The price of the cereal.
B.special number code represented by the black and white lines.
C.picture of the cereal box.
D.The name of the person who bought the cereal.
Challenging
Without special voice-to-text software, why can't a computer understand you want to type the letter 'A' just by you saying 'A' into a microphone?
A.microphone only inputs sound waves, and the computer doesn't know that a specific wave means the letter 'A'.
B.The letter 'A' key on the keyboard is the only way to make an 'A'.
C.Microphones can only hear music, not talking.
D.The computer's screen is not able to show letters that come from a microphone.
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