Physics CAL packages—Modes of use in the computational physics laboratory at Surrey and conditions for success

The objectives and operation of the Computational Physics Teaching Laboratory (CPTL) at the University of Surrey are briefly described. An account is given of the methods adopted for evaluation of this project and the reasons for the approach chosen. Relevant aspects of the physics degree course at Surrey are then described with particular reference to the use of the facilities provided by the CPTL. Finally, the findings of the evaluation of physics CAL packages are reported and some conclusions are given.