Gathering and interpreting data from a learning inventory is an important aspect of teaching.  Observing students is one of the best ways to learn about a student's interest and learning style (Ability Path, n.d.).  Students do not learn or think in the same way or rate of speed so finding strategies that work best for our students is crucial for academic success.  I have been observing small groups of students in a math intervention class taught by my mentor. There are 5 students I chose to focus my study on.  I presented those students with a learning style inventory worksheet specific to math.  The inventory was a series of questions that were answered on a scale of 1-3 (1 being never, 2 sometimes, and 3 often).  Students were to rate each question and then add up all the numbers in each category which then determined each student's preferred learning style.  The data collected is represented in the bar graph below.  The data revealed that 2 students are visual learners, 1 student is an auditory learner, and the last 2 students.had the same score for visual and kinesthetic learner.  This information will be useful when planning instruction specifically catered to these students.  Now that I know what the preferred style of learning is for math I am able to provide specific learning strategies that match.  

There are many benefits to learning style analysis such as lessons that can be more fun and engaging, help to strengthen other learning styles by the exposure to all of them, and help to build a stronger connection between the student and the teacher (BAU, 2020).  Learning styles are connected to the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development of students.  The way students think and reason, the languages spoken at school and home, social interactions, and emotional well being are all contributing factors to the preferred way of learning.  Understanding the different learning styles helps educators support students' development.  Visual learners process information visually and too much movement in the classroom can be a distraction whereas kinesthetic learners are the opposite, they thrive on movements and can not sit too long.  

The data collected through the inventory can have a positive impact on student learning if the instructional strategies  chosen match the learning styles.  The reviewed data will provide the information needed to determine the best approach or strategy for the lessons being presented to the students.  An example of an instructional strategy for the auditory learners is the use of mnemonics.  A mnemonic is a pattern of letters or a silly sentence meant to help students remember information.  One mnemonic that was mentioned and I remember as a child is “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” (McBride, 2019).  Using the letters of each word in the sentence helps remember the mathematical order of operations.  Visual learners like pictures and graphs.  Pictures can be used in place of numbers when working on math equations.  If the equation is 10 x5=?, students can draw 10 circles and then place 5 dots inside each circle to find the solution.  Kinesthetic learners solving the same math problem can use manipulatives instead of drawing shapes.  It is all about understanding each style and finding the right tools to help each student.

Using student strengths, interests, and needs for growth are also important to consider when developing instruction.  Auditory learners excel in verbal communication, they prefer verbal instructions, recordings, and group discussions.  Kinesthetic learners work best with hands-on experiences and physical activities.  These learners have a tendency to move around a lot and would benefit from fidget toys.  Visual learners prefer reading and looking at instructions.  They have a strong spatial awareness.  When instruction is being planned changes can be made to include different instructional strategies that would work best for each student.

Implementing assessments that address each style of learning allows students to display their understanding of knowledge in a way that is best for them.  Auditory learners can use technology to record verbal responses instead of writing a paper.  Visual learners can create a poster with pictures with or without the use of technology.  When teachers take the time to get to know their students, interests can become part of the learning process.  If a student is really into playing soccer then the teacher can incorporate that into lessons to make the learning more engaging for that student.  If a student is struggling with the multiplication facts and it is known that the student is a visual learner then flash cards would be a good resource for rote memorization of multiplication facts.  

Learning style inventories are a great resource for educators along with taking the time to get to know students.  Finding the right instructional strategies for each learning style will support the development of  students.  Learning style inventories can be used at any grade level and for any content specific class.  The data that is collected and analyzed is a wonderful tool for teachers to use when planning for differentiated instruction.