Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Output Devices: The Computer Talks Back
Learn about output devices like monitors, printers, and speakers, and how they display information.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify at least four common output devices.
Explain that output devices present information we can see, hear, or touch.
Describe the main job of a monitor, speakers, and a printer.
Match a specific task to the correct output device (e.g., listening to music requires speakers).
Give an example of how a computer 'talks back' using an output device.
Differentiate between an output device (like a screen) and an input device (like a mouse).
Have you ever wondered how a computer shows you your favorite cartoon or plays your favorite song? 🤖🎶 Let's find out!
Today, we're going to learn about 'output devices.' These are the special parts of a computer that let it share information with us. They are how the computer 'talks b...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
OutputAny information that a computer sends out for us to see, hear, or feel.The sound of a song playing from your computer is output.
Output DeviceA piece of computer hardware that takes information from the computer and gives it to us in a way we can understand.A monitor is an output device because it shows us pictures and words from the computer.
MonitorA screen that shows visual output, like pictures, videos, games, and words.You are looking at a monitor right now to read this!
SpeakersDevices that produce sound output, like music, voices, and sound effects.When you watch a movie on the computer, the speakers let you hear the characters talk.
PrinterA device that takes information from the computer and puts it onto paper. This is called a 'hard copy'.Yo...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The Event-to-Output Rule
IF an event happens (like a click), THEN the computer sends information to an output device.
This is how the computer knows WHEN to talk back. Clicking the 'play' button on a video is an event. This tells the computer to send picture information to the monitor and sound information to the speakers.
The Data Type Rule
The type of data tells the computer WHICH output device to use.
The computer is smart! It knows that picture data should go to the monitor, sound data should go to the speakers, and document data should go to the printer when you click 'print'.
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Challenging
In a computer program, a line of code says: 'IF the player's score is greater than 100, THEN display the message 'You Win!'.' For this code to work, which output device MUST the computer have?
A.printer
B.speaker
C.monitor
D.3D printer
Challenging
To watch a movie on a computer and get the full experience, you need to see the action and hear the talking. This means the computer needs to send output to which PAIR of devices?
A.monitor and speakers
B.printer and a mouse
C.keyboard and a monitor
D.speaker and a microphone
Challenging
A programmer accidentally sends the same file, which contains a picture of a cat, to both a printer and a set of speakers. What is the most likely outcome?
A.Both devices will create a picture of the cat
B.The printer will make a 'meow' sound and the speakers will print a picture
C.Both devices will show an error and do nothing
D.The printer will print the cat, but the speakers will do nothing or make a static noise
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