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This study describes impact from James Ohene-Djan's research on personalisation, assistive technologies for the deaf, and web-based video. The research led to two spin-out companies:
(i) Viewtalk was started by Ohene-Djan in 2008 in partnership with Deafax, a charity dedicated to access for people with impaired hearing. Viewtalk developed video messaging specifically tailored to the needs of the UK's nine million deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
(ii) WinkBall was developed in partnership with a privately-owned UK news organisation (Correspondent Corporation). Winkball provided a system that enabled users to post video content for specific audiences and purposes. At its peak it employed 300 reporters to supply dedicated content, and generated a user community of 150,000 active content-generators and three million video watchers.
Outcomes of the research conducted at the University of Edinburgh (2001 to 2007) that have had the most far-reaching impact are a strong conceptualisation of the whole learning environment (including curricula, teaching, learning support, and assessment and feedback) and its influence on the quality of undergraduates' learning. What gave these outcomes added resonance was a concern for disciplinary distinctiveness as well as more generic features; an alertness to the pervasive implications for day-to-day teaching-learning practices of mass 21st-century higher education; and a focus on enhancing as well as evaluating the student experience.
The reach of the impact extends to university teachers, middle and senior academic managers, local and national bodies with responsibilities for surveying quality and standards and, albeit less directly, students. Staff in at least 21 universities in 12 countries have used the Experiences of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (ETLQ). The National Student Survey questionnaire was influenced by the ETLQ, and has continuing UK-wide impact on teaching through students' retrospective ratings of their experience. Project outputs were directed towards teaching staff through workshops, publications and invited presentations, followed by detailed advice on assessment and feedback of coursework.