Output Devices

An output device communicates data from the computer’s central processing unit (CPU) to users. Information may be output as a display on a monitor or printer, or it may be output as sounds from a speaker.

Monitors convert data in the form of digital electrical signals from the system into patterns of light, which are interpreted by our brain as text or images. Most monitors have flat screens and use liquid  display (LCD) technology.

Speakers take electrical signals output by a computer and convert them into sound waves we can hear, perhaps as speech, music or sound effects.

Smartphone Sensors

Sensors are input devices used to collect data such as temperature, light, noise, acceleration and movement, which they send to a central processing unit. The following table lists some of the sensors used for input to a computer that most of us use every day -- the smartphone! A smartphone has more ways to receive data than a desktop computer or laptop! Complete the following table :

Task Two is on Google Classroom

Task Three is on Google Classroom

Complete the following table by describing the function of each of these typical laptop ports and give examples of the type of data collected, stored or output from each device.