What is an example of a direct assessment method in instructional planning?

A direct assessment method in instructional planning is characterized by its ability to measure a student's knowledge or skills directly related to the learning objectives. Standardized tests at the end of a unit serve as a prime example of this approach because they provide a uniform way to evaluate student performance against specific criteria or learning standards.

These tests are designed to objectively assess what students have learned throughout the unit and often include a variety of question types that directly relate to the instructional content. This enables educators to gather comprehensive data on each student's understanding and mastery of the material covered.

In contrast, options such as peer feedback, class participation tracking, and group discussions are more formative or qualitative assessment methods. They focus on processes and engagement rather than a direct measurement of student comprehension or skills. While these methods can provide valuable insights into the learning environment and student interaction, they do not directly evaluate the extent of students' knowledge in the same structured and quantifiable way that standardized tests do.