List of Output Devices and Their Functions for Nigerian Students
List of Output Devices and Their Functions for Nigerian Students
Let’s face it, Computer Studies is one of the easiest subjects to pass in WAEC if you just calm down and read. But sometimes, the textbook English is too “big grammar” for simple things.
You are here because you need a clear example of output device notes for your notebook or exam revision. Don’t worry, I have got you covered. This guide follows the exact scheme of work you will see in school, so you won’t miss any marks.
Definition of Output Device
An output device is any piece of computer hardware that converts information into a human-readable form.
It is the opposite of an input device. While input sends data into the computer, output brings the results out to you.
Think of it like this: Imagine a Town Crier in a Nigerian village. The King (the CPU) whispers a message to the Town Crier. The Town Crier then beats his gong and shouts the message to the villagers. In this case, the Town Crier is the output device because he makes the information public and understandable.
Without output devices, the computer is just a useless box doing calculations you cannot see or hear.
The Monitor (Visual Display Unit)
A monitor is an electronic visual display for computers that shows images and text on a screen. This is the most common output device; you literally cannot use a desktop computer without it.
There are two main types you need to know for your exams:
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CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): These are the old, heavy monitors with a “big back” like those olden days TVs. They are heavy and consume a lot of electricity.
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LCD/LED (Liquid Crystal Display): These are the flat screens we use today. They are light, slim, and energy-efficient.
I always tell my students: If it looks like a flat-screen TV, it is likely an LCD or LED. If it looks like a box that can break your back if you carry it, it is a CRT.
The Printer
A printer is a machine that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the information to paper. This output on paper is often called a “Hard Copy.”
There are two major categories here:
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Impact Printers: These strike the paper physically. A good example is the Dot Matrix printer. It is very noisy, like a generator that needs servicing, but it is cheap to run. You often see these in banks for printing receipts.
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Non-Impact Printers: These do not hit the paper. Examples are Inkjet and LaserJet printers. They are quiet and fast.
You can read more about the history of computer printers here.
The Speaker
Speakers are output devices that produce audio or sound from the computer. They convert digital signals from the computer’s sound card into sound waves that your ears can hear.
Without speakers, you cannot watch movies on Netflix or listen to Wizkid on your laptop.
Note for Exam: Headphones and earphones are also output devices. They are just tiny speakers you wear on your head.
The Plotter
A plotter is a printer designed for printing vector graphics like architectural blueprints and engineering drawings.
Unlike a regular printer that uses dots to create an image, a plotter uses a pen (or multiple pens) to draw continuous lines.
Here is the truth: You will likely never use a plotter in your house. These are expensive machines used by architects, engineers, and mapmakers who need to print very large and accurate drawings.
The Multimedia Projector
A projector is an optical device that projects an image (or moving images) onto a surface, commonly a projection screen.
You see these everywhere now. In modern churches, they use them to display Bible verses. In universities and some big secondary schools, teachers use them to show notes on the whiteboard.
It works exactly like a cinema projector. It takes the small video on your laptop and throws it onto the wall so everyone can see it.
Modern Challenges in Output Devices
This section is not always in the textbook, but writing this will show the examiner you are a serious student.
One major issue today is E-Waste (Electronic Waste). When our monitors and printers spoil, we often throw them away carelessly. These devices contain dangerous chemicals like lead and mercury. In places like Lagos, old computer parts are often dumped in landfills, which poisons the soil and water. We need to learn how to recycle these gadgets properly instead of just throwing them in the dustbin.
Conclusion
Computer hardware is not magic. It is just tools we use to get work done. Remember, if the device gives you information (sound, video, paper), it is an output device. If you give it information (typing, clicking), it is an input device.
Go and smash that exam. You have this!
