Think of a toaster at breakfast. Something goes in, something happens inside, and something comes out. What are those three things?
Today we will map everyday technologies the same way: input, process and output.
IPO is the short name for input, process and output.
Those three breakfast ideas have names: input is what goes in, process is what the technology does, and output is what comes out.
Every technology has all three. Turn to a neighbour and name one part for a torch: what goes in, what it does inside, or what comes out. Be ready to share.
Look at the three columns on the board: Input, Process, Output.
We will place the cards for a torch together. Call out which column each card belongs in: press the switch, electricity goes to the bulb inside, beam of light.
Map a torch as IPO
Your group gets one device card: toaster, torch, automatic door or pencil sharpener.
- Stay at your places. Agree the three parts for your device and write them on three sticky notes (or sketch three boxes): input, process, output.
- Some groups will take a turn on the shared floor spots labelled Input, Process and Output. When it is your group's turn, bring your notes, stand on the spots and say your three parts to the class.
- If you are still waiting or watching, listen and check whether each group's IPO makes sense. Be ready to say if you agree.
Map a torch as IPO
Some groups will become a human machine for one device. One person is the input, one is the process, one is the output. They act the job in order.
If your group is watching, your job is to name all three parts when they finish: input, process and output.
Unlock the full learning experience
You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.
This lesson is copyright of DigitalSkills.org 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.