What are input and output devices, and how do you choose suitable ones for a given system?
The purpose of input and output devices, common examples (including sensors and actuators), and how to choose suitable devices for a given system or user.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on input and output devices: their purpose, common examples including sensors and actuators, and how to choose suitable devices for a particular system or user, including accessibility.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to know what input and output devices do, give common examples (including sensors and actuators used in automatic and embedded systems), and choose suitable devices for a particular system or user, including for accessibility. The exam usually frames this as a scenario (a weather station, an accessible system) where you must match devices to a need and say why.
Input devices
Output devices
Choosing devices for a system or user
Try this
Q1. State the purpose of an input device. [1 mark]
- Cue. To send data or commands into a computer for processing.
Q2. Name one input device suitable for an automatic system with no person present. [1 mark]
- Cue. A sensor (for example a temperature, light, moisture or motion sensor).
Q3. State what an actuator does. [1 mark]
- Cue. It is an output device that produces a physical action, such as a motor opening a valve.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas Component 1, 20224 marksA weather station automatically records conditions and is checked remotely. Identify two input devices and one output device it might use, and state what each is for.Show worked answer →
Input devices (1 mark each, up to two): a temperature sensor (to measure how hot or cold it is); a rainfall or moisture sensor; a wind-speed sensor (anemometer); a light sensor. Each must be paired with what it measures.
Output device (1 mark): a display or screen (to show the readings); or a transmitter / network connection to send the data to be checked remotely; or an actuator that opens a vent.
Markers reward sensors as the input devices for an automatic system (a keyboard would be wrong, as no one is present) and an output that matches "checked remotely". The fourth mark is for a clear statement of purpose.
Eduqas Component 1, 20233 marksExplain how input and output devices can be chosen to make a computer system accessible to a user with limited vision.Show worked answer →
Input (up to 2 marks): a microphone with speech recognition lets the user enter commands and text by voice instead of typing; a large-key or braille keyboard makes input easier.
Output (up to 2 marks): a screen reader sends text to a speaker so the user hears the content; a braille display outputs text as raised dots; a large high-contrast monitor makes the screen easier to see.
Markers reward devices clearly matched to the need (vision), with a short reason. A general list of devices with no link to accessibility caps the marks.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE Computer Science specification (from 2016) — Eduqas (2020)