Input and Output

You talk to a computer by giving it information. The computer talks back by showing or playing results. These two actions have special names: Input and Output.

What is Input?

Input means sending information into the computer. When you press a key on the keyboard, you give the computer input. When you click the mouse, that is also input.

What is Output?

Output means information that comes out of the computer. The words you see on the screen are output. The sound from the speaker is also output.

Input → Process → Output Diagram

⌨️ Keyboard
🖱️ Mouse
🎙️ Microphone

→

CPU
🧠

→

🖥️ Monitor
🔊 Speaker
🖨️ Printer

You give → Computer thinks → You receive

Input and Output Devices

Device	Type	What it does
⌨️ Keyboard	Input	Types letters, numbers, and symbols
🖱️ Mouse	Input	Moves the cursor and clicks
🎙️ Microphone	Input	Records your voice
📷 Camera	Input	Captures photos and videos
🖥️ Monitor	Output	Shows pictures and text
🔊 Speaker	Output	Plays music and sounds
🖨️ Printer	Output	Prints words and pictures on paper

💡 A touchscreen is both input and output. You touch it (input) and it shows results (output) on the same surface.

Quick Exercise

Q1. Is a speaker an input or output device?

✅ Output. The speaker plays sound that comes out of the computer.

Q2. You speak into a microphone. Is that input or output?

✅ Input. You are sending your voice into the computer.

Q3. Name two input devices and one output device.

✅ Input: Keyboard and Mouse. Output: Monitor.

Previous lessons

Back to courses

Next lessons