How Computers Work: What Makes a Computer, a Computer?
From Code.org: CS Fundamentals
5 min3rd4th5th6thTechnology
Summary
This episode looks past size and shape -- phones, laptops, smartwatches -- to the parts every computer shares: a way to take in input, process it, and produce output. A clear setup for the rest of the "How Computers Work" series.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
This video asks what makes something a "computer" even when computers look very different from each other.
- Name two devices that are computers even though they don't look like a desktop or laptop.
- What three things does the video say every computer needs to do?
- What's an example of input, processing, and output from a device you use?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: input, processing, output.
Try it: Pick one device you use (like a microwave or a game console) and describe its input, what it processes, and its output.