Making Waves in Maths Education: SWIM 2025
“The Future of Mathematics: Adapting to a Changing World” — with these words, Ƶ University’s Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Chee Kit Ho, opened this year’s Ƶ Workshop for Instructors in Mathematics (SWIM). His message set the tone for a full day dedicated to innovation, adaptability, and empowering teachers to thrive in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Hosted by the School of Mathematical Sciences, SWIM served as a vibrant platform for secondary school maths educators to deepen their professional practice. The event brought together teachers from a diverse mix of international and Chinese independent schools. While many attended from the Klang Valley, several travelled from Penang, Ipoh, and Johor, reflecting the strong interest in fresh approaches to enhancing mathematics teaching and learning.
SWIM’s core purpose extends beyond introducing digital tools or new teaching trends. It aims to reshape how mathematics is experienced—transforming the subject from abstract concepts into engaging, interactive, and meaningful learning experiences. This aligns with the School’s mission to support educators in cultivating agile, future-ready learners who can navigate an increasingly complex world shaped by technology and data.
The programme featured three highly practical and thoughtfully designed parallel workshops, each facilitated by a subject specialist. These sessions allowed teachers to select the focus most relevant to their classroom needs, ensuring a personalised and impactful professional development experience.
- The Art of Graphs: Revolutionising Maths with Desmos
Facilitator: Prithikah Prakash
In this session, teachers explored the powerful capabilities of Desmos, a tool that is becoming increasingly essential in modern mathematical instruction. The workshop showcased how Desmos can turn static graphs into dynamic visualisations, allowing students to manipulate parameters, observe real-time changes, and develop stronger conceptual understanding.
Teachers learned how to design interactive tasks and digital activities that make lessons more intuitive, especially when teaching functions, transformations, inequalities, and modelling. Many participants noted how Desmos can simplify complex ideas and spark curiosity, particularly among visual learners. - Level Up: Engaging Learners Through Gamification of Maths
Facilitator: San Loo Yong
San Loo Yong’s workshop highlighted how gamification can enhance motivation and engagement in the maths classroom. Instead of viewing mathematics as routine problem-solving, teachers discovered ways to incorporate game elements—such as points, challenges, progression levels, and friendly competition—to make learning fun and meaningful.
Participants were introduced to examples of maths games, classroom challenges, and reward systems that tap into students’ natural desire for achievement and collaboration. Teachers left the workshop with ready-to-implement ideas that can energise classroom participation and support deeper understanding through playful learning. - From Chalkboard to Chatbots: AI in Maths Education
Facilitator: Ghajendran Poovanandran
With artificial intelligence rapidly transforming the educational landscape, this workshop focused on practical ways teachers can harness AI to enhance instruction and student support. Teachers explored AI tools that can generate customised practice questions, assist in marking, provide instant feedback, and help students visualise difficult concepts.
The session also addressed responsible use, digital literacy, and how AI can complement—not replace—the irreplaceable role of educators. Participants appreciated the balanced approach, gaining confidence to integrate AI meaningfully and ethically in their teaching practice.
A Community Growing Together
Throughout the day, SWIM buzzed with collaboration and conversation. Teachers exchanged stories, shared classroom experiences, and reflected on how mathematics continues to evolve. Many expressed appreciation for a space dedicated specifically to mathematics educators—a rare opportunity to strengthen their craft while connecting with peers who share similar passions and challenges.
The event reaffirmed the School of Mathematical Sciences’ commitment to supporting educators beyond the university walls. By equipping teachers with innovative tools and teaching strategies, SWIM helps enrich mathematics education at the secondary school level and strengthens the pipeline of future-ready learners entering STEM fields.
Surfacing with New Skills and Fresh Perspectives
By the end of the workshop, participants left with renewed inspiration and practical strategies to elevate their classroom practice. Whether through interactive graphing, gamification, or AI-powered learning tools, teachers discovered new ways to make mathematics more engaging, accessible, and enjoyable for today’s students.
SWIM stands as a testament to Ƶ University’s dedication to empowering educators—and ultimately, shaping the future of mathematics learning in Malaysia. With each workshop, teachers dive deeper, explore boldly, and surface stronger than before—ready to bring innovation and excitement into their classrooms.
Dr Ang Siew Ling
School of Mathematical Sciences
Email: @email