Direct Measures of Learning Worksheet
Activity #1: Distinguishing between direct and indirect measures for student learning
For each of the statements below, identify whether the statement is a direct or indirect
measure of learning. How do you know?
1.
Students rate their level of competency in critical thinking using a rubric.
 Direct
 Indirect – Students are self-reporting how competent they think they are (not how
competent they actually might be). While rubrics are often used for direct
measures of learning, they are indirect when students evaluate themselves.
2.
Students rate their peers on presentation skills using a rubric.
 Direct – Students are observing the evidence their peers are providing of their
skills.
 Indirect
3.
A staff member from the Office of Multi-Cultural Student Success administers a quiz both
before and after a diversity training to measure effectiveness.
 Direct – A quiz has correct and incorrect answers to assess students’ knowledge.
By administering the quiz before and after the training, they can determine if
knowledge increased.
 Indirect
4.
After an orientation program related to academic advising, students articulate the steps
to take to register for classes and an orientation leaders counts the number of correct
answers vs. incorrect answers.
 Direct – Students outline what they think the steps are, and the orientation
leaders use that evidence to determine if they adequately learned how to
register.
 Indirect
5.
Students in a leadership living learning community are asked to maintain a blog and the
resident advisor reviews them to assess on key items (e.g., professionalism, comment
management, grammar).
 Direct – The RA is evaluating evidence the students provided to determine where
they stand in various areas.
 Indirect
6.
New student staff members in the career center are asked to rate their level of
confidence on various office procedures and requirements for their position.
T: 716.652.9400
F: 716.652.2689
210 Ellicott St., Suite 200
Buffalo, New York 14203
www.campuslabs.com


7.
Direct
Indirect – Students are self-reporting how confident they are that they understand
procedures and requirements, but they are not providing evidence that they
actually understand.
After a multicultural event, students fill out a survey and in an open-ended question are
asked to reflect, in a short essay format, how the program has given them a broaden
appreciation for cultures other than their own.
 Direct – Students are providing evidence of their learning in an artifact (i.e., the
essay). Administrators can review the essays using a cultural appreciation rubric.
 Indirect
T: 716.652.9400
F: 716.652.2689
210 Ellicott St., Suite 200
Buffalo, New York 14203
www.campuslabs.com
Activity #2: Selecting a direct method for your learning outcome
Write out one of your learning outcomes (doesn’t have to be exact if you can’t
remember!) and describe a direct measure for assessing it.
1)
Learning outcome:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Direct measure:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2)
Learning outcome:
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Direct measure:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3)
Learning outcome:
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Direct measure:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
T: 716.652.9400
F: 716.652.2689
210 Ellicott St., Suite 200
Buffalo, New York 14203
www.campuslabs.com
T: 716.652.9400
F: 716.652.2689
210 Ellicott St., Suite 200
Buffalo, New York 14203
www.campuslabs.com