Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Digital Orientation Tools for New Academic Staff in Higher Education
Abstract
At an inceptive stage of working, individuals, especially new staff without or with limited working experience, may have anxiety and discomfort. This is particularly relevant in higher education where new academic staff will need to navigate complex duties such as teaching roles, research and institutional policies. Thus, it is ideal to have a platform that provides a comprehensive overview and understanding of orientation programs for new staff to facilitate their adaptation, foster departmental understanding, foster colleague connections, and help them grasp job essentials. In accordance with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study evaluates the development and preliminary evaluation of SmartStart Solutions, a digital orientation initiative consisting of an e-book and a mobile application designed for new academic staff at an academic centre. This research employed a qualitative cross-sectional survey design. The findings revealed that both platforms were perceived as effective and helpful in relaying information on key performance indicators, policies, staff benefits and faculty-related systems. Users valued the e-book as a structured reference guide and the mobile application as a portable orientation tool. Further improvements were suggested on visual readability, technical accessibility and chatbot support. Overall, the study proposes digital orientation as an effective tool to support academic staff in improving the onboarding experience in higher education. Ultimately, this research provides a scalable framework for academic institutions to adopt a digital-friendly orientation approach while maintaining an employee-centric ecosystem.
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