The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:15 (New International Version)
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Teaching & Learning
Learning Analytics, Science of Learning, Adult Learning and Continuing Education, Self-Regulated Learning, Technology Enhanced Learning
J. W. Lai, S. Y. Ho, & F. S. Lim (2026) Learning Analytics for Assessment Preparation: Constructing Graphs to Guide Higher-Order Question Generation. Accepted for 16th International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK26). [Conference Page] [Read (Link under registration)]
K. W. Lee, Y. S. Ang, & J. W. Lai (2025). Learning analytics with scalable Bloom’s taxonomy labeling of Socratic chatbot dialogues. Computers. [Read] [Open Access]
G. S. W. Cheong, C. E. Chu, J. W. Lai, A. Mishra, Y. Wen, C. H. Leo, D. J. Yeo, & K. H. Cheong (2025). Virtual reality for chemistry education: Algorithm-driven reaction modeling for blended learning environments. Innovation and Emerging Technologies. [Read]
S. H. S. Ng, & J. W. Lai (2025). AI-augmented heutagogy: A framework for fostering self-determined learning and agency in higher education. Higher Education Research & Development. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, W. Qiu, & F. S. Lim (2025). From insights to impact: An agentic learning intelligence framework for student-centred success. 26th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED). [Conference Page] [Read] [PDF]
W. Qiu, C. L. Su, N. B. Jamil, M. Thway, S. S. H. Ng, L. Zhang, F. S. Lim, & J. W. Lai (2025). A systematic approach to evaluate the use of chatbots in educational contexts: Learning gains, engagements and perceptions. Computers. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, W. Qiu, M. Thway, L. Zhang, N. B. Jamil, C. L. Su, S. S. H. Ng, & F. S. Lim (2025). Leveraging process-action epistemic network analysis to illuminate student self-regulated learning with a Socratic chatbot. Journal of Learning Analytics. [Read] [Open Access]
W. Qiu, M. Thway, J. W. Lai, & F. S. Lim (2025). GenAI for teaching and learning: A human-in-the-loop approach. Companion Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK25). [Conference Page] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, L. Zhang, C. C. Sze, & F. S. Lim (2025). Learning analytics for bridging the skills gap: A data-driven study of undergraduate aspirations and skills awareness for career preparedness. Education Sciences. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai (2024). Adapting self-regulated learning in an age of generative artificial intelligence chatbot. Future Internet. [Read] [Open Access] Editor’s Choice
J. W. Lai, L. Zhang, Y. S. Chan, C. C. Sze, & F. S. Lim (2024). Compelling educational offerings: A study of the efficacy of skills identification platforms with course descriptions. INTED2024 Proceedings. [Conference Page] [Abstract] [Pre-print]
Z. Y. Lim, J. H. Yap, J. W. Lai, I. A. Mokhtar, D. J. Yeo, & K. H. Cheong (2024). Advancing lifelong learning in the digital age: A critical review of Singapore’s SkillsFuture Program. Social Sciences. [Read] [Open Access]
Z. Y. Lim, J. W. Lai, J. H. Yap, T. Munshi, A. Mishra, I. A. Mokhtar, D. J. Yeo, & K. H. Cheong (2023). Unraveling the dynamics of lifelong learning in Singapore: A comparative study. Knowledge. [Read] [Open Access]
Z. Y. Lim, T. Munshi, J. H. Yap, A. Mishra, J. W. Lai, D. J. Yeo, & K. H. Cheong (2023). Using opinion dynamics to identify groups for targeted intervention in lifelong learning: A case study of SkillsFuture in Singapore. International Journal of Modern Physics B. [Read]
K. H. Cheong, J. W. Lai, J. H. Yap, G. S. W. Cheong, S. V. Budiman, O. Ortiz, A. Mishra, & D. J. Yeo (2023). Utilising Google Cardboard virtual reality for visualization in multivariable calculus. IEEE Access. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Educational opportunities and challenges in augmented reality: Featuring implementations in physics education. IEEE Access. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Adoption of virtual and augmented reality for mathematics education: A scoping review. IEEE Access. [Read] [Open Access]
Complex Systems
Parrondo’s Paradox, Opinion Dynamics, Social Physics
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2024). Winning with losses: The surprising success of negative strategies in social interaction behavior. Physical Review Letters. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai (2024). Dynamic opinion formation in networks: A multi-issue and evidence-based approach. Computers. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2024). A Parrondo paradoxical interplay of reciprocity and reputation in social dynamics. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2023). Boosting Brownian-inspired games with network synchronization. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals. [Read] [PDF]
T. Wen, J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2023). Switching between two losing stocks may enable paradoxical win: An empirical analysis. Fractals. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2022). A comprehensive framework for preference aggregation Parrondo’s paradox. Chaos. [Read] [PDF]
T. Wen, K. H. Cheong, J. W. Lai, & E. V. Koonin (2022). Extending the lifespan of multicellular organisms via periodic and stochastic intercellular competition. Physical Review Letters. [Read]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Risk-taking in social Parrondo’s games can lead to Simpson’s paradox. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals. [Read] [PDF]
S. Jia, J. W. Lai, J. M. Koh, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Periodic noise-induced framework for history-dependent Parrondo’s switching. Nonlinear Dynamics. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Evaluation of single prioritization voting systems in controlled collective parrondo’s games. Nonlinear Dynamics. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2021). Chaotic switching for quantum coin Parrondo’s games with application to encryption. Physical Review Research. [Read] [Open Access] [Press Release] *Correction: Note that there is a small typo. Equation (10) in the paper should read: ![|\psi\rangle_0=-\frac{1}{2}[|1\rangle_c\otimes|2\rangle_p]+\frac{i}{2}[|1\rangle_c\otimes|0\rangle_p]+\frac{i}{2}[|0\rangle_c\otimes|0\rangle_p]-\frac{1}{2}[|0\rangle_c\otimes|2\rangle_p]](https://s0.wp.com/latex.php?latex=%7C%5Cpsi%5Crangle_0%3D-%5Cfrac%7B1%7D%7B2%7D%5B%7C1%5Crangle_c%5Cotimes%7C2%5Crangle_p%5D%2B%5Cfrac%7Bi%7D%7B2%7D%5B%7C1%5Crangle_c%5Cotimes%7C0%5Crangle_p%5D%2B%5Cfrac%7Bi%7D%7B2%7D%5B%7C0%5Crangle_c%5Cotimes%7C0%5Crangle_p%5D-%5Cfrac%7B1%7D%7B2%7D%5B%7C0%5Crangle_c%5Cotimes%7C2%5Crangle_p%5D&bg=ffffff&fg=111111&s=0&c=20201002)
K. H. Cheong, W. Tao, & J. W. Lai (2020). Relieving cost of epidemic by Parrondo’s paradox: A COVID-19 case study. Advanced Science. [Read] [Open Access] [Press Release]
J. W. Lai, J. R. A. Tan, H. Lu, Z. R. Yap, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Parrondo paradoxical walk using four-sided quantum coins. Physical Review E. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Social dynamics and Parrondo’s paradox: A narrative review. Nonlinear Dynamics. [Read] [PDF]
S. Jia, J. W. Lai, J. M. Koh, N. G. Xie, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Parrondo effect: Exploring the nature-inspired framework on periodic functions. Physica A. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, J. Chang, L. K. Ang, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Multi-level information fusion to alleviate network congestion. Information Fusion. [Read] [PDF]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Parrondo effect in quantum coin toss simulations. Physical Review E. [Read] [PDF] *Correction: Note that there is a small typo. Equation (7) in the paper should be on the state 
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Parrondo’s paradox from classical to quantum: A review. Nonlinear Dynamics. [Read] [PDF] Nonlinear Dynamics’ Collection of Highly Cited Papers
Analytics & Modelling
Data Analytics, Computational Physics, Numerical Analysis, Machine Learning
C. Wang, L. Ma, L. Ma, J. W. Lai, Z. Jie, L. Wang, & K. H. Cheong (2023). Identification of influential users for influence maximization and cost minimization via an improved non-dominated sorting moth flame optimization. Journal of Computational Science. [Read]
X. Zhao, J. W. Lai, A. F. W. Ho, N. Liu, M. E. H. Ong, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Predicting hospital emergency department admissions with deep learning approaches. Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering. [Read]
N. G. Xie, M. Wang, Y. Dai, Y. Ye, J. W. Lai, L. Wang, & K. H. Cheong (2022). Decision-making psychology and method under the specific zero-knowledge context. Scientific Reports. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, C. K. E. Ang, U. R. Acharya, & K. H. Cheong (2021). Schizophrenia: A comprehensive survey of machine learning applied to detection and treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. [Read] [Open Access]
T. Liu, C. Li, C. Wang, J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2020). A simple FSDT-based isogeometric method for piezoelectric functionally graded plates. Mathematics. [Read] [Open Access]
J. W. Lai, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Superposition of COVID-19 waves, anticipating a sustained wave and lessons for the future. BioEssays. [Read] [Open Access] [Video Abstract] [Press Release] WILEY Top Cited Article: Top Cited Award for 2020-2021
K. Mutthulakshmi, M. R. E. Wee, Y. C. K. Wong, J. W. Lai, J. M. Koh, U. R. Acharya, & K. H. Cheong (2020). Simulating forest fire spread and fire-fighting using cellular automata. Chinese Journal of Physics. [Read] [PDF]
K. H. Cheong, S. Poeschmann, J. W. Lai, J. M. Koh, U. R. Acharya, S. C. M. Yu, & K. J. W. Tang (2019). Practical automated video analytics for crowd monitoring and counting. IEEE Access. [Read] [Open Access]
Other Publications
Research Collaborations
B. H. Parikh, Z. Liu, P. Blakeley, Q. Lin, M. Singh, J. Y. Ong, K. H. Ho, J. W. Lai, H. Bogireddi, K. C. Tran, J. Y. C. Lim, K. Xue, A. Al-Mubaarak, B. Yang, S. Rajan, R. Kakkad, D. S. L. Wong, Q. S. W. Tan, Z. Zhang, A. D. Jeyasekharan, V. B. Veluchamy, W. Yu, K. H. Cheong ,T. A. Blenkinsop, H. Walter, G. Lingam, X. J. Loh, & X. Su (2022). A bio-functional polymer that prevents retinal scarring through modulation of NRF2 signalling pathway. Nature Communications. [Read] [Open Access]
X. Zhao, I. Seah, K. Xue, W. Wong, Q. S. W. Tan, X. X. Ma, Q. Lin, J. Y. C. Lim, Z. Liu, B. H. Parikh, K. N. Mehta, J. W. Lai, B. Yang, K. C. Tran, V. A. Barathi, K. H. Cheong, W. Hunziker, X. Su, & X. J. Loh (2021). Anti-angiogenic nanomicelles for the topical delivery of aflibercept to treat retinal neovascular disease. Advanced Materials. [Read]
K. H. Cheong, N. J. Ngiam, G. G. Morgan, P. P. Pek, B. Y. Q. Tan, J. W. Lai, J. M. Koh, M. E. H. Ong, & A. F. W. Ho (2019). Acute health impacts of the Southeast Asian transboundary haze problem—A review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. [Read] [Open Access]
Thesis
PhD Thesis
Brownian ratchet-inspired phenomena in Complex Systems: Quantum and Sociodynamical Parrondo’s paradox. A thesis submitted to the Singapore University of Technology and Design in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. [Read] Outstanding Thesis Award 2023
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