Leuphana Cooperation: Memory-Path – Sustainable Learning with Innovative App

The Memory Path project is based on the "loci method": knowledge is linked to specific places and thus facilitates learning. For example, the Pythagorean theorem is linked to a footbridge by a river. The link to the footbridge makes it easier to remember the formula. Every time you pass the footbridge or think of it, you remember the Pythagorean theorem. Several of these learning points make up a memory path/learning path. "We want to bring joy to learning for pupils and students, an activity that nowadays often has negative connotations," explains founder Hannes Stelzer. In times of pandemic, walks have become an essential part of everyday life for many. With memory paths specific places on the daily route can be used, for example, to successfully memorise French vocabulary from last week. "A student has to give a presentation next week and can read it into the programme in advance. From this, a memory path is automatically created, for example to school, university or simply as a walk," Stelzer explains the long-term vision.

The founder approached Leuphana's start-up service with the idea of conveying learning materials via artificial intelligence. The Memory-Path project, which is now being carried out in cooperation with Leuphana, is a 'Minimum Viable Product', a minimally functional product from which user feedback is learned as quickly as possible. So-called MVPs are helpful in successfully developing an innovative product. The app is still very operational, which means that users still have to add the places and materials themselves. In the long term, the aim is to create a learning experience in which the 'memory paths' are automatically created by artificial intelligence after a script has been read into the programme. "In addition to the proven loci method, we also draw on findings about effective learning from brain research," Stelzer explains. Thus, results from research are to be transformed into a company capable of growth. Fridolin Katz, Master's student at Hamburg Univeristy of Technology, is in charge of app development and two students at Leuphana support the marketing.

The start-up service brought the team into contact with Ulf Brefeld, Professor of Business Informatics, especially Machine Learning from the Institute of Business Informatics. Brefeld took the project under his supervision and is currently supporting the team with mentoring and feedback. In April, the first prototype of the app was presented to Leuphana's cooperation partner DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). After another three months, the progress of the project will be evaluated. "I am very much looking forward to the cooperation and the upcoming collaboration with Leuphana," sums up Stelzer.

The start-up service at Leuphana supports those interested in setting up a business by providing individual advice, training and support. In addition, it ensures optimal networking with actors in the regional start-up sector, also outside the university, and helps in the search for investors.