🎯 Learning outcomes
- Identify hardware: CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers, storage
- Classify devices as input, output, processing or storage
- Explain hardware and software with examples
Before you start: Knowing common devices.
📖 Explanation
A computer has hardware (parts we can touch) and software (programs that tell it what to do).
Input devices send information to the computer: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, camera. The CPU (central processing unit) processes data, like the brain. Output devices show results: monitor, printer, speakers. Storage keeps data: hard disk, SSD, pen drive.
Software includes the operating system (Windows, Linux, Android) and application software (paint programs, word processors, games).
In a computer lab under a state ICT@School programme, students type a story (input), the CPU processes it, and the printer prints it (output).
✗ The monitor is the computer
✓ The monitor only shows output; processing happens in the CPU inside the cabinet or laptop body.
🧪 Try this activity
Sort picture cards of computer parts into input, output, processing and storage boxes.
✍️ Question bank with answers
Tap an option to check multiple-choice answers. Open “Answer” or “Marking points” for the others.
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Which is an input device?
Answer
B. keyboard
We type data into the computer.
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The brain of the computer is the
Answer
B. CPU
It processes data.
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Which is software?
Answer
A. a paint program
Programs are software.
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Name one storage device.
Answer
pen drive, hard disk or memory card
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Name one output device.
Answer
monitor, printer or speakers
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Differentiate hardware and software with one example each.
Marking points
- Hardware can be touched, e.g. keyboard
- Software are programs, e.g. a paint app
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Explain the input–process–output cycle with the example of printing a drawing.
Marking points
- Input: draw with the mouse
- Process: CPU handles the drawing
- Output: printer prints it
- Storage: save the file
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The printer is not printing. Name two things you can check.
Answer
- Is it switched on and connected?
- Does it have paper and ink?
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Draw a computer system and label input, output and processing devices.
Answer
- Keyboard and mouse as input
- Monitor and printer as output
- CPU as processing
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