Prof. Dr. Gary Wong | Computer Science Education | Research Excellence Award

Faculty of Education | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong

Prof. Dr. Gary Ka Wai Wong is a leading scholar in computational thinking, computer science education, and artificial intelligence (AI)–enhanced learning, widely recognized for his interdisciplinary contributions to digital literacy, immersive learning environments, and K–12 STEM innovation. His research explores how constructionist pedagogies, data-driven precision learning, and extended reality experiences foster cognitive development, problem-solving, and twenty-first century competencies in learners. He has played a pivotal role in shaping international frameworks for digital literacy and AI education, including large-scale studies that examine teachers’ technological adoption, students’ computational thinking development, and school-level implementation of coding and STEM initiatives. His body of work reflects strong methodological diversity, spanning design-based research, meta-analysis, psychometric assessment, and mixed-methods evaluations of learning technologies. His scholarly influence is demonstrated by substantial global citations: Scopus records over 1,218 citations across 1,071 citing documents with an h-index of 18, while Google Scholar reports more than 3,111 citations with an h-index of 24 and 48 i10-index publications. His contributions extend to immersive virtual reality in science learning, digital competence assessment, and early-age unplugged and plugged computational thinking activities. His research continues to inform international policy, curriculum innovations, and empirical understandings of how AI, coding, and digital tools can be meaningfully integrated into education to cultivate future-ready learners.

Publication Profile

Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Wong, G. K. W., Ma, X., Dillenbourg, P., & Huan, J. (2020). Broadening artificial intelligence education in K–12: Where to start? ACM Inroads, 11(1), 20–29.

Saxena, A., Lo, C. K., Hew, K. F., & Wong, G. K. W. (2020). Designing unplugged and plugged activities to cultivate computational thinking: An exploratory study in early childhood education. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 29(1), 55–66.

Wong, G. K. W., & Cheung, H. Y. (2020). Exploring children’s perceptions of developing twenty-first century skills through computational thinking and programming. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(4), 438–450.

Law, N. W. Y., Woo, D. J., De la Torre, J., & Wong, K. W. G. (2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills for indicator 4.4.2. UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Lui, A. L. C., Not, C., & Wong, G. K. W. (2023). Theory-based learning design with immersive virtual reality in science education: A systematic review. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32(3), 390–432.