<p>This research is based on ESL reading comprehension. Its purpose is to identify which purpose-built learning actions for constructing text-based and topic-based knowledge first-semester students from the English Language Teaching Program at Universidad de Córdoba applied more often while reading. Data was gathered through a reading platform called knockWhy?, along with a reading activity in which students brought up purpose-built learning actions. After using the platform, the students answered a questionnaire in order to evaluate their experience and opinion about the platform’s design. Results showed that students brought a significant amount of purpose-built learning actions, which mainly concerned textual-based knowledge, rather than topic-based. Results also revealed that students’ experience with the platform and its design was significant when bringing up purpose-built learning actions.</p>