Minkai Wang
Minkai Wang is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Educational Technology at Zhejiang University, supervised by Prof. Xuesong Zhai. He is also a veteran who served in the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
His research interests lie at the intersection of Game-based Learning (GBL), Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), and the Metaverse. He is dedicated to exploring how emerging technologies can reshape learning experiences and cognitive development.
His academic work has been published in international authoritative journals such as Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Journal of Educational Computing Research, and Entertainment Computing.
Education
- Sept 2026 - Present | Zhejiang University | Ph.D. in Educational Technology | Supervisor: Xuesong Zhai
- Sept 2023 - June 2026 | Zhejiang University of Technology | Master in Educational Technology | Supervisor: Jingdong Zhu
- Sept 2019 - June 2023 | Zhejiang Shuren University | Bachelor in Digital Media Technology | Supervisor: Hanjie Gu
- Sept 2017 - Sept 2019 | Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) | Strategic Support Force | Soldier
Academic Publications
📄 Journal Papers (Selected)
- Wang, M., Zhu, J., Hwang, G., Chang, S., Yang Q., & Zhang, D. Enhancing Student Engagement in STEM Education: A Personalized Virtual Agent Based on Large Language Models in Alternate Reality Games. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41(6): e70138. [Link]
- Wang, M., Zhang, D., Zhu, J., & Gu, H. Effects of Incorporating a Large Language Model-Based Adaptive Mechanism Into Contextual Games on Students’ Academic Performance, Flow Experience, Cognitive Load and Behavioral Patterns. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 63(3), 662-694. [Link]
- Wang, M., Zhu, J., Gu, H., Zhang, J, & Wu, D. Optimizing experiential learning in science education: the role of two-tier testing in digital game-based learning. Entertainment Computing, 100960. [Link]
- Wang, M., Zhu, J., Qian, Wei., Gu, H. Integrating artificial intelligence and gamification in rehabilitation: a scoping review. Entertainment Computing, 101011. [Link]
- Gong, Y., Wang, M., Tu, Y., Huang, C., & Zhang, D. (2026). Beyond pre-scripted interactions: Mapping the integration of LLMs in digital game-based learning - a scoping review. Entertainment Computing, 101082. [Link]
- Gong, Y., Wang, M., He, L., Xu, C., & Yu, Y. Asking, playing, learning: Investigating large language model-based scaffolding in digital game-based learning for elementary artificial intelligence education. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 07356331251396354. [Link]
- Xu, Y., Zhu, J., Wang, M., Qian, F., Yang, Y., & Zhang, J. The Impact of a Digital Game-Based AI Chatbot on Students’ Academic Performance, Higher-Order Thinking, and Behavioral Patterns in an Information Technology Curriculum. Applied Sciences, 2024, 14(15): 6418. [Link]
- Zhang, J., Zhu, J., Tu, W., Wang, M., Yang, Y., Qian, F., & Xu, Y. The Effectiveness of a Digital Twin Learning System in Assisting Engineering Education Courses: A Case of Landscape Architecture. Applied Sciences, 2024, 14(15): 6484. [Link]
🗣️ Conference Presentations
- 2024 (Xiamen) | The 1st National Symposium on AI-Empowered Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning
📘 Reports & Blue Books
- Deeply participated in the compilation of the “Blue Book on Digital Education Development in Zhejiang Province”
- Deeply participated in the compilation of the “Development Report on New Comprehensive Practical Education Venues in Zhejiang Province”
Engineering & Software Development
🎮 Educational Games
💻 Software Copyrights
- Educational Game Software for Campus Navigation
- Role-Playing Based Red Tourism Educational Game
- Information Technology Classroom Attendance System
- Information Technology Classroom Interaction System
- Student Project Management Platform
Research Grants
- Host | Zhejiang University of Technology “Canal Cup” Key Project: Research on the Application of LLM Virtual Agents Replacing Reality Games in STEAM Education (2024-2025)
- Host | Zhejiang University of Technology “Canal Cup” Key Project: Design and Practice of LLM-Driven Adaptive Science Education Contextual Games (2024-2025)
- Participant | Zhejiang Educational Technology Center Project: Theme Science Museum — Primary School Practical Education in the Digital Intelligence Era (2023-2024)
- Participant | Ministry of Education National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program: Deep Development of “Immersive Red Tour” Digital Red Tourism Application (2022-2023)
- Host | Zhejiang Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program: Research and Development of Role-Playing Based Campus Navigation Game (2021-2022)
Other Participated Projects/Programs:
- Mar 2026 - Aug 2026 | Dongtou PBL Gamified Practice Education Curriculum Development
Wenzhou Haixia Cultural Development Center; responsible for designing and developing practical activities/curricula. - Mar 2026 - Jun 2026 | Zhejiang University Digital Esports Experience/Practice/Assessment System
ZJU International Joint R&D Center for Esports Education; responsible for Unity/Web frontend and backend design and development. - Nov 2025 - Aug 2025 | Geely Automobile Industry Sci-Tech Innovation Practice Education Base
Linhai Haoqing Automobile Industry School; responsible for project-based study tour design and premium curriculum development. - Dec 2024 - Jul 2025 | Intelligent Learning Space for Motor Skills
Hangzhou Renmin Vocational School; responsible for instructional space design and gamified learning platform design. - Nov 2024 - May 2025 | Research on Excellent AI Education Teaching Cases for Primary and Secondary Schools
National Institute of Education Sciences, Educational Science Publishing House, and Yuhang Institute of Education Development; responsible for designing, producing, and organizing outstanding AI education cases in Yuhang District. - Nov 2024 - Apr 2025 | Cultivation of New Comprehensive Practical Education Venues
Zhejiang Educational Technology Center; responsible for practice-base curriculum design and application documentation. - Sep 2023 - Oct 2025 | Theoretical Research and Technical Service for Project-Based Learning Activities in Wuzhong District
Suzhou Wuzhong District Teacher Development Center; responsible for project-based learning cloud platform and digital twin platform services. - Apr 2023 - Dec 2023 | “Moral Education in Subject Courses” Classroom Teaching Cases
National Center for Educational Technology and Hangzhou Shangcheng District Institute of Education; responsible for filming and editing micro-lessons on moral education. - May 2023 - Dec 2023 | Digital-Intelligence Garden Reading-and-Farming Learning Space
Hangzhou Tourism Vocational School; responsible for digital twin teaching platform development.
Academic Service
- Journal Reviewer:
- Artificial Intelligence Review (SCI)
- npj Digital Medicine (SCI)
- BMC Medical Education (SCI)
- BMC Medical Ethics (SCI)
- Virtual Reality (SCI)
- Humanities & Social Science Communication (SSCI)
- Journal of Academic Librarianship (SSCI)
- Cognitive Neurodynamics (SCI)
- Entertainment Computing (SCI)
- Cognitive Development (SSCI)
- Acta Psychologica (SSCI)
- Frontiers in Psychology (SSCI)
- International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems (SCI)
- IEEE Access (SCI)
- Scientific Reports (SCI)
- Discover Sustainability (ESCI)
- Social Sciences & Humanities Open (EI)
- Discover Artificial Intelligence (EI)
- Discover Psychology (ESCI)
- Academic Community:
- Person in charge of WeChat Official Accounts: “Digital Game-based Learning Research” (数字游戏学习研究), “Child Rehabilitation Research Institute” (儿康研究院)
Honors & Awards
🏆 Academic & Research Competitions - Second Prize in “Challenge Cup” Special Competition (University Level) - Third Prize in the 10th NCDA National University Digital Art & Design Competition (Zhejiang Division) - Second Prize in the 20th Zhejiang Provincial University Multimedia Works Design Competition - Finalist Award in the 17th China International Cartoon & Animation Festival “Dream Cup” Game Creative Competition - Finalist Award in the National University Student Anti-Smuggling Creation Competition
🍎 Teaching & Mentoring Achievements - Referee: Main Referee for the Matata Category, 2025 World Robot Contest – Youth Robot Design Contest (Hangzhou Selection) - Instructor: Guided students from Wuchang Primary School, etc., to win Second/Third Prizes in the 2024 Hangzhou Yuhang District “Endeavor Cup” STEAM Innovation & Creativity Competition (Intelligent Robot Contest)
🎖️ Academic and Comprehensive Honors & Military Service - Academic and Comprehensive Honors: Provincial Outstanding Graduate (Master’s), National Scholarship, First-Class Academic Scholarship, University Outstanding Graduate (Bachelor’s), University Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis, University Outstanding Student Party Member, Outstanding Youth League Cadre. - Military: Excellent Recruit, Excellent Conscript, Third Prize in Team Combat Injury Rescue Competition (Strategic Support Force Unit), Commendation.
Teaching Experience
- Nov 2025 | Teaching Assistant | Advanced Workshop on AI Literacy Improvement for Primary and Secondary School Teachers in Yuhang District (Hosted by NCET/ZJUT, etc.)
- Apr 2025 - Nov 2025 | Intern Teacher | Jiaxing Experimental Junior High School (Information Technology)
- June 2025 - July 2025 | Camp Mentor | Decoding Zhejiang Science & Technology Genes Study Tour (AI General Education / Robotic Arm Programming)
- Mar 2024 - June 2024 | Programming Teacher | Hangzhou Wenxin Primary School (3D Printing), Zhongtai Center Primary School (Robot Programming)
- Mar 2024 - May 2024 | Competition Instructor | Robotic Arm Competition Training for multiple schools in Hangzhou
- Mar 2023 - Dec 2024 | Part-time Teacher | Hangzhou Cuiyuan No.2 Primary School (Scratch) & Programming Institutions
- 2020 - 2022 | Military Instructor | Zhejiang Shuren University, Jiashan No.2 Senior High School, etc.
- Sept 2018 - Sept 2019 | Squad Leader | Strategic Support Force Unit, PLA