WidoCol

There is low adoption of Information Technologies (IT) in the administration of small bovine production systems which causes that most decisions are made based on the experience of the administrators and not based on data. This study proposes a methodological strategy to improve the adoption and appropriation of a Decision Support System (DSS) in the aforementioned kind of systems. The strategy includes gamification elements in the training supported in three IT tools, which help with the understanding of the connection between the tools. The tools are a simulation model, a serious video game, and the DSS. The design and development of the strategy used Design and Development Research and Case Study, System Dynamics to develop the simulation model and a Rational Unified Process to develop the serious video game and the DSS. The methodology was implemented in Santander, Colombia with informative sessions and working with producers in aided simulated environments with the goal of getting participants to use the proposed tools in their environments in a voluntary, autonomous, lasting way. Results showed the impact of the ludic and pedagogical components for the appropriation of the technology. 22 months after finishing the aided sessions 34% of the farmers show appropriation of the DSS and use it on their farms.

Strategy for the Appropriation of a DSS in Small Bovine Producers Using Simulation and a Serious Video Game