Input Devices Teacher Notes

Introduction to Computer Systems

KS4 ICT: This worksheet accompanies the presentation Input Devices.

Name………………………………………………..……………… Date……………......

Scenario: A Fast Food business, Jumbo Burger, is looking at updating and changing some of the input devices they have attached to computer systems. Your task is to answer the below questions to help them work out which new input devices to purchase.

1 What are input devices?

An input device is a piece of hardware which allows you to enter data onto a computer.

2 Jumbo Burger would like you to name 3 input devices that are often connected to a computer.

1. Mouse

2. Keyboard

3. Scanner

3 Jumbo Burger currently has all wired input devices but they are aware input devices are now becoming increasing wireless. Name 2 input devices which are often wireless.

1. Wireless Mouse

2. Wireless Keyboard

4 The Fast Food business is considering using some automatic input devices. Describe an automatic input device used to read barcodes.

A barcode reader is used to scan a barcode and then a signal is sent back to a computer database to identify the item information such as a price. Barcodes and barcode readers are now very popular in retail environments as they allow information such as prices to be changed quickly and easily.

5 Traditional keyboards are currently used by the fast food business as input devices. Describe a concept keyboard which could be used in a fast food outlet to input data.

Concept keyboards are used to help speed up data input and they usually only have a small number of inputs. Fast food restaurants and bars often use these keyboards to speed up service. Concept keyboards allow pictures to be used, so all people need to do is to click on the appropriate picture to input. An example in a fast food restaurant could be a picture of burger which would need pressing when a burger is ordered.

6 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for the fast food business of using a traditional keyboard to input data.

Advantages: Flexible Any text or numbers can be entered

Disadvantages: Keyboard skills take time to learn

7 The business often makes use of multiple choice feedback questionnaires and they are considering using input devices to get data onto a computer system quickly. Describe the input device which is often used to read multiple choice answers.

Optical Mark Readers allow the computer to recognise positions of marks on a paper and the computer can then process this input. Optical Mark Readers are used to mark many multiple choice papers as the system recognises marks positions and then works out from the positions how many marks a person has gained from a paper. This system allows for fast processing and for fast marking of papers.

8 Jumbo Burger regularly has many paper documents that need to be on the computer. Describe the ‘Optical Character Recognition’ system.

The OCR system works by converting scanned text to a word processed file. The OCR system works best with clear text and the system is prone to errors. The system is popular because it allows documents to be edited on a computer.

9 Touch screen technologies are being investigated by the business as a method to input data. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of touch screens when inputting data.

Advantages: Both an Input and an Output device Easy to use with little training required No need for extra peripheral devices such as a mouse and keyboard

Disadvantages: Not always good for inputting lots of data

10 The Fast Food restaurant is considering stopping taking cheques because of some issues but they are aware of the security features they bring such as MICR. What does MICR stand for?

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition