About Me
I am a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Washington's Information School, advised by Dr. Jin Ha Lee. My dissertation focuses on "Misinformation and Teenagers," where I explore the role of Social and Emotional Learning in enhancing Media and Information Literacy.
My academic journey includes an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania, where I researched AR-based learning, and an M.A. in Media Studies from Syracuse University, focusing on HCI and immersive technology. My background in Media and Communication Technology from Michigan State University provides a strong technical foundation for my work. I am a U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) authorized to work in the United States.
Research Vision
My research aims to empower young people to navigate the complex digital world with resilience and critical awareness. I investigate how immersive and interactive technologies, combined with social-emotional learning principles, can create effective educational interventions against misinformation. I believe in designing tools and experiences that not only teach critical evaluation but also foster the emotional intelligence needed to engage with information responsibly.
Teaching
Pre-doctoral Instructor
University of Washington, Winter 2024
- Design Methods for Librarianship (LIS 547)
Teaching Assistant
University of Washington, 2019 - Present
- Informatic Capstone I & II
- Design Methods
- Research Methods
- Information Systems Analysis
- Research and Analysis for Info. Professionals
- Technical foundation - R
- Research, Assessment, and Design
Instructor
New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2018 - 2019
- Digital Design Studio II
- History of Games
Publications
CHI PLAY 2024
You Are Tilted!: Leveraging Tabletop Gaming to Manage Tilt and Strengthen Team Dynamics in Esports
Y. Cho, M. Newman, C. Pitt, J. C. Yip, & J. H. Lee
PaperJournal of Librarianship and Information Science 2023
The Use of an Escape Room as an Immersive Learning Environment for Building Resilience to Misinformation
Y. Cho, C. Coward, J. Lackner, T. W. Windleharth & J. Lee
PaperDiGRA 2023
Gender Differences in Ethical Stances for Playing AR Games: The Case of Pokémon GO
Y. Cho, M. Newman, L. Morris, L. D. Koughan, J. Yip, & J. H. Lee
PaperBehaviour & Information Technology 2023
Conducting online participatory design from the United States with children in South Korea with a focus on cultural awareness
K. J. Lee, S. Na, H.C. Wang, H. Park, M. Jo, Y. Cho, Y. Jung, G. Park, J. H. Lee & J. Yip
PaperInternational Journal of Human-Computer Interaction 2023
Users’ Perspectives on Ethical Issues Related to Playing Location-Based Augmented Reality Games: A Case Study of Pokémon GO
J. H. Lee, J. Yip, A. Moore, Y. Cho, Z. de Jong, R. Kobashigawa, & A. E. Sanchez
PaperiLRN 2022
Research Based on Affective Filter Theory: Is Social VR an Effective Tool for Learning a Second Language?
Y. Cho, H. N. Hsu, Z. Zheng, E. E. Trinh, H. Jang, & Y. Cheng
PaperHCI 2019
AR-Vis: Augmented Reality Interactive Visualization Environment for Exploring Dynamic Scientific Data
H. H. J. Kum-Biocca, H. Kim, F. Biocca, & Y. Cho
PaperMaster's Thesis 2018
How spatial presence in VR affects memory retention and motivation on second language learning
Y. Cho, Syracuse University
PaperBook Chapter
Coaching in Esports: promoting well-being & performance
In J. H. Hoffman, R. Pauketat., & K. A. Varzeas (Eds.), Understanding collegiate Esports. Routledge.
Y. Cho, E. S. Cohen, A. E. Freund, J. Yip, & J. H. Lee (forthcoming)
LinkPresentations
Perceptions of Misinformation Among Teenagers: A Qualitative Inquiry
Y. Cho
US-Korea Conference (UKC), 2024 - Atlanta
High School Students' Understanding and Response to Misinformation in the Age of AI
Y. Cho
US-Korea Conference (UKC), 2024 - San Francisco
How Spatial Presence in Virtual Reality Affects Memory Retention and Motivation in Second Language Learning
Y. Cho, F. Biocca, H. Biocca
Experiential Journalism of Virtual Reality News
S. Y. Ri & Y. Cho
BEA '20 - Las Vegas
The Bag Stands Alone: Stereotype Processing in Virtual Reality
K. Gaggin, K. Park, J. Lee, et al.
ICA 2018 - Prague, Czech Republic
Knowledge Sharing
Media Recognition
Patents
Virtual Reality Survey System (#10-2017-0103497)
Virtual Reality for Kids (#10-2018-0086001)
Leadership
President, Bellevue Korean Soccer Team (2024 - Present)
KSEA YG President, Seattle (2024 - Present)
PR/Event Manager, Changbal Korean IT Society in Seattle (2022-2023)
President of Korean Student Association, Syracuse University (2016-2017)
Contribution
Reviewer
Journal of Education and Information Technologies
The International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network
Discover Public Health
Research Mentor
Korean-American Youth Scientist Research-thon
Lumiere Education Research Program
Fun Stuff
When I'm not in the lab, you can find me on the soccer field, leading the Bellevue Korean Soccer Team. I'm also passionate about mentoring young scientists and exploring new ways to use technology for good.
Get In Touch
I'm always open to discussing new research, collaborations, or interesting opportunities. Feel free to reach out.
CONTACT ME