As we enter 2025, the message is loud and clear: teaching is no longer about what we deliver—it’s about what they discover. The spotlight is now on our learners. Their agency, their voices, and their journeys in learning must be at the core of what we do.
Today, I saw this shift unfold in my Creative Multimedia Technology course with second-year Physics Education students, including two mobility students from West Visayas State University, Iloilo—Benjamin Copita and Nessie Pañada. We held an Animation Competition, where students worked in groups to explore various animation methods—from traditional stop-motion cut-out animation to AI-generated 3D animations. This wasn’t just an assignment—it was a celebration of learning through experimentation, collaboration, and creativity.
Check out their amazing work: Animation Showcase
In our e-learning platform, the students reflected on their experiences. One student shared, “I learned a lot about how to create animated videos. After attending the class, I discovered many ways to make videos that can help me teach in the future. I was really happy to be given the opportunity to try designing a video.”
Another student wrote, “At first, I felt overwhelmed by the tools. But once we started experimenting, I felt empowered. Animation is something I never imagined I could do—now, I can use it to make Physics come alive.”
And yet another shared, “What made this class different is that we were trusted to explore. I enjoyed how our lecturer gave us space to lead our own projects—it made me believe in my ideas more.”
These reflections remind me: learning thrives when students are given ownership. They are no longer passive recipients of content. They are designers, storytellers, and educators in the making.
This philosophy is deeply embedded in the DNA of Faculty of Educational Science and Technology (FEST) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), where we proudly carry the tagline: “Innovating Education, Shaping the Future.”
At FEST, we believe innovation is not just about technology—it’s about empowering learners to create, connect, and contribute meaningfully. With cutting-edge tools and a collaborative spirit, we strive to transform education into a space where curiosity drives progress.
Join FEST if you’re ready to craft your future in Science and Technology—through education that inspires and empowers.
As educators, our greatest achievement is not in how well we teach, but in how well our students learn, lead, and light the way forward.
Our students are not just learners—they are our collaborators, our creative partners, and in many ways, our colleagues in this shared journey of education. When we offer them the tools, the trust, and the space to explore, they don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them. They bring fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and a genuine passion to create meaningful learning experiences.
In this era, teaching is no longer a one-way street. It’s a co-learning experience, where we grow together—not just guided by what we know, but by what we are willing to discover together.
So let us move forward with this in mind, It is not about us anymore. It is about their learning. And that changes everything.
Professor Zaidatun Tasir
Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST)
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)