Research Foundation

Glass Notes is built on a foundation of primary user research and established learning science.

Primary Research

We conducted a comprehensive survey of Swedish university students (n=85) to understand their current practices and pain points with lecture content capture and organization.

Methodology

  • Online survey distributed across 8 Swedish universities
  • 85 respondents from various study programs
  • Mix of quantitative and qualitative questions
  • Conducted January 2026

Key Findings

91%

of students photograph lecture content

67%

report these materials go unused

60%

have lecture photos mixed with personal images

86%

already utilize AI for studying

74%

would use automatic organization if available

78%

want AI-powered Q&A for their notes

Learning Science Foundation

Spaced Repetition

The spacing effect, first documented by Ebbinghaus (1885), demonstrates that learning is more effective when study sessions are spaced out over time rather than massed together. Our review scheduling feature is built on this principle.

Research by Cepeda et al. (2006) showed that optimal spacing can increase retention by up to 200% compared to massed practice.

Active Retrieval

Karpicke & Blunt (2011) demonstrated that retrieval practice—actively recalling information—produces more learning than passive review. Our AI chat feature encourages this by allowing students to test their understanding through questions.

Their research showed retrieval practice produced 50% more learning than elaborative studying with concept mapping.

Multimedia Learning

The cognitive theory of multimedia learning suggests that learning is enhanced when information is presented in both visual and verbal formats. Glass Notes preserves the original visual content while providing AI-generated textual summaries.

Academic References

Morris, C. (2024). The photo habit: Why students photograph everything but learn nothing. Teaching in Higher Education.

Dahlstrom, E., Brooks, D. C., Grajek, S., & Reeves, J. (2015). ECAR Study of Students and Information Technology. EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research.

Karpicke, J. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2011). Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying. Science, 331(6018), 772-775.

Ebbinghaus, H. (1885). Über das Gedächtnis: Untersuchungen zur experimentellen Psychologie. Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot.

Cepeda, N. J., et al. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380.

Experience research-backed learning

Try Glass Notes and see how evidence-based features can improve your learning outcomes.

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