An assessment instrument is a specific device or way to measure student learning, such as an examination, senior project, portfolio, etc. Assessment instruments fall into two broad categories Direct and Indirect measures of learning . These terms distinguish between two forms of evidence of student learning. A direct measure is one by which students demonstrate what they have learned. A research project, an examination, an exhibit of creative work direct measures in that they are primary data about what students learned.
Indirect measures provide second hand information about student learning.
A questionnaire that asks students to estimate how much they have gained in certain areas of the curriculum is an indirect measure of their learning. It is not the primary data itself but an estimate or opinion about their learning. For additional information about direct and indirect measures see Opportunities for Improvement. A rubric is a set of scoring guidelines for evaluating students work. A rubric indicates the criteria used to judge student performance, and distinguishes among different levels of quality in student work.