Inputs and outputs of design

Developing an understanding of the terms ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’ and ‘signal’

This activity aims to develop students’ understanding of key terms such as ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’, and ‘signal’, fostering critical thinking and independent investigation skills.

Our ‘Time for a Game’ scheme of work offers an engaging electronics context, allowing students to delve into infrared technologies as seen in popular devices like the Nintendo Wii.

This lesson plan helps leaners understand the core components that make up the devices they use every day. By learning about systems, inputs, processes, outputs, and signals, they will begin to see the world around them in a new light.

This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths, science and design and technology (DT).

Activity: Developing an understanding of the terms ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’ and ‘signal’
In this activity, students will work in pairs to define key terms and identify these features in common products using the ‘Inputs and Outputs of Design’ presentation.

They will explore the concept of a system as a collection of parts designed to carry out a function, and learn how inputs activate the system, while outputs are activated by the process. They will also delve into the role of signals in transmitting information between different system blocks. To reinforce this learning, the Wii film will provide a practical example of these concepts at work.

The engineering context
This lesson plan provides an engaging introduction to engineering principles, as students learn about the components that make up the systems around them. Understanding the inputs, processes, outputs, and signals of a system is foundational to engineering and design. This activity will inspire students to consider a career in engineering, as they gain insights into the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving involved in designing and understanding complex systems.

Suggested learning outcomes
Upon completion of this activity, students will have a clear understanding of the difference between input, process, and output in a system and be able to define these terms. They’ll be able to identify these features in common products, enhancing their understanding of the devices and technologies they interact with daily.

Download our activity sheet for free!
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including film clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

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