Running head: MODULE ONE CRITICAL THINKING

Module One Critical Thinking: Creating a Personal Learning Environment

Caroline A. Triggs
Colorado State University- Global Campus
OTL545: Technology and Innovation
Dr. Brenda Bagwell
October 9th, 2016

MODULE ONE CRITICAL THINKING

Module One Critical Thinking: Creating a Personal Learning Environment

Table 1
Title of Table in Italics
URL of PLE:
https://www.diigo.com/user/carolineadele?page_num=0&type=all&sort=updated
Tool

Purpose of Tool

Starfall

Interactive site that

presents introductory
phonics and basic
site words.

BBC Bitesize

Interactive activities
to support overall
English language
literacy.

Research-Based
Rationale
Students can use this
website at home to
support development
of phonological
awareness. An
important component
of English language
learning is the
building of
phonological
awareness. We do a
lot of phonics study
in class, but students
can supplement their
learning by
practicing more at
home using various
Starfall activities.
General learning can
be supported with
the use of
gamification.
Research shows
gamification is a
powerful tool to
engage young
learners. We do a lot
of gamification in
class and this site
provides a way to
extend English
learning with
interactive games at
home. Students can
choose games to play
that will aid their
English learning.

Supportive Research
Goodwin, A., Lipsky,
M., & Ahn, S. (2012).
Word Detectives:
Using Units of
Meaning to Support
Literacy. Reading
Teacher, 65(7), 461470.

Su, C., & Cheng, C.

(2015). A mobile
gamification learning
system for improving
the learning
motivation and
achievements. Journa
l of Computer
Assisted
Learning, 31(3), 268286.

MODULE ONE CRITICAL THINKING

Elllo

Multi-level English
lessons that provide
listening
comprehension
practice, grammar
worksheets, and
quizzes.

TEFLtunes

Multi-level English
grammar practice
using popular songs
organized by
grammar concept.

Learn English Kids

British Council

A comprehensive
language learning
website for young
learners that has a
plethora of
interactive games
and activities
organized by topic
and language mode.

Listening
comprehension is
one of the key modes
of language
acquisition. Research
shows students
should have many
opportunities to
listen and analyze
their new language
in order to best
support
comprehension. This
site provides an
abundance of
listening
comprehension
scenarios from which
to choose.
Research shows
including music in
lessons for young
learners can aid
language acquisition.
In addition to
English lyrics,
rhythm, rhyme and
repetition of music
can help language
learners hone their
skills. Students at all
levels can practice
and build upon their
language learning by
listening to and
singing English
songs.
It is apparent with
my students that
allowing them to
choose their own
activities to study
greatly increases
student engagement.
Research shows that
engagement and
exploration of new
language are keys to
mastering new

Goh, C. (1998). How

ESL learners with
different listening
abilities use
comprehension
strategies and tactics.
Language Teaching
Research, 2(2), 124147.

Paquette, K., & Rieg,

S. (2008). Using
Music to Support the
Literacy Development
of Young English
Language
Learners. Early
Childhood Education
Journal, 36(3), 227232.
doi:10.1007/s10643008-0277-9

Hansen, L. (2006).
Strategies for ELL
Success. Science &
Children, 43(4), 22.

MODULE ONE CRITICAL THINKING

language content.
Interactive digital
activities can be an
engaging way for
students to explore
their language
learning at their own
pace.
Note. Links for the websites listed on this table can be found using the URL of PLE at the top
of the table.