In this paper, an initiative to develop CAL programs for the Physics curriculum is described. The advantages of learning through simulations are then discussed using some of the program developed as illustrations. It is the authors' hope that CAL would take root and become a regular feature of Physics teaching.

The author argues that it seemed more suitable to make the introduction in the form of a computer club before the introduction of a course in computer studies in secondary schools. The author further states that the language used in TRS-80 was BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) which was close to ordinary English, and that waiting for the money to be approved by the Education Department might take at least one year.

The authors point out in the paper that, based on the results of a two-year pilot scheme, the Director of Education announced that a new extended pilot scheme would begin in September. A whopping $9.4 million was set aside to equip 75 additional schools with microcomputer systems (to a total of 105). The shortage of qualified computer studies staff was reflected. BASIC programming was the most popular, but more than 40% of students were eager to learn the use of commercial package. Thus, it might be necessary to achieve a balance between the "using computer" and the "understanding computers".

Discussed in the paper are the following points. Mini-computers would cost $50,000 for development. So, forecasts for the future were that the microprocessor units would be used and BASIC served as a very good introduction. Teachers in calculating marks and grades had also used the system. The main limitation being the amount of time teachers could find to sit down and write programs.