How do inputs, processes, and outputs work?

All digital devices receive inputs, perform processes, and deliver outputs. Here, we consider each of the steps that a digital device needs to perform its tasks and how you can teach these to young learners.

输入s

所有数字设备都接受输入。输入是计算机输入或接收到的数据。这可能包括用户按键盘上的键，单击鼠标在屏幕上选择某些内容或光传感器传感光级别。一些输入向数字设备表示我们想要的操作，而另一些输入为设备提供了数据。

输入s don’t always have to be initiated by human beings. For example, a temperature sensor could gather and input data into a device or a message could be received by one device from another device.

过程

The process determines what the device does with the input. The same input can be processed in different ways. For example, in word processing software, when you press the letter A on a keyboard, the computer may process the input and display it as a letter A on the screen. When using a Crumble, the process might use a button as input to determine what colour a Sparkle will need to be set to.

The programme contains the set of instructions that define the process. In the programme above, the user will start the programme by clicking on the green play arrow in the Crumble software. This will trigger the process which is shown in the code; the Crumble will send a signal to the Sparkle to tell it to light up red.

输出

输出是数字设备显示过程结果的方式。可以通过多种方式将输出返回给用户，例如屏幕上的文本，印刷材料或扬声器的声音。在崩溃中，输出可能包括电动机转动，或者像上面的程序一样，点燃某种颜色。

Helping learners to understand input, process, and output

年轻的学习者不需要知道数字设备如何实际处理数据，但是应该意识到在输入到设备中的输入与正在生产的输出之间发生了一些事情。您可以用“输入程序输出计算机”进行建模，如下图所示。

在此示例中，机器的输入是足球。然后，机器给出输出（右侧）。在这种情况下，机器进行的过程是使足球更大或扩大。将年轻的学习者介绍输入，过程，输出（使用此类模型）的简单示例，可以帮助您在基本级别上发展他们对输入程序输出模型的理解。然后，他们可以将此模型应用于数字设备，从熟悉的设备（例如数码相机）开始。

• 输入- 用户按顶部的按钮
• 过程- 摄像机捕获并存储图片
• 输出– The image is shown on the screen

了解在创建自己的物理计算项目时，对现实世界数字设备中的输入，流程和输出（IPO）工作的理解将对您的学习者有用。意识到输入将触发特定的过程并产生所需的输出将有助于学习者为其项目选择合适的组件。

Below, I’ve shown how lights (Sparkles) and motors can be connected to a Crumble controller, and then split into input, process, and output.

火花

• 输入– The user clicks on the green arrow to start the programme
• 过程– The Crumble checks for input, and when it is received, sends a signal to change the colour of the Sparkle

  
• 输出- 闪闪发光的颜色点亮

电动机

• 输入– The user clicks on the green arrow to start the programme
• 过程- 崩溃的输入检查，并在收到收到时发送信号以转动电动机

  
• 输出– The motor turns

IPO课程

输入，过程，输出的概念对于计算的基础 - 无论系统有多大或复杂。通过使用相关的示例并将其连接到概念，您可以帮助学习者对IPO有一个坚定的理解，然后他们可以将两者都应用于其物理计算项目中，并且可以更广泛地应用。

Much of the above content is part of the3年级（7-8岁） - 计算系统和网络 - 连接计算机单元of the教计算课程。This unit includes a range of activities to help you to teach learners about digital devices and the concept of IPO.