For the pilot study, a structured situation using a video game was selected. The game that was selected for the pilot study was Forest Maths. Forest Maths is a 2D puzzle game for the teaching of pre-algebraic patterning to students of the early
childhood. The game presents several bugs whose sole intent is to cross branches, reaching the other side of the screen.
However, the tree branches are divided in tiles, each of which presents a form or shape, thus creating a pattern. Specific tiles do not present a form or shape and require players’ intervention in order to change their content, thus completing or destroying the existing pattern. Tiles with correct content are sturdy, allowing bugs to pass, while tiles with incorrect content get destroyed, letting the bugs fall. The objective of the game is to allow a minimum number of bugs pass on the other side of the screen. The game is played with one or more players on a computer or tablet with Adobe AIR environment. The game initially features a set of ten levels, each of which presents a different pattern, varying in size, complexity, length, spatial arrangement and form.