Hi, Lee. If the measurements just pertain to each student individually, I'm not sure why the database would be necessary. For form type assignments, I usually find the
upload assignment handy. I create the template and put a link to it (it's stored in my course files) in my directions for the assignment; then I set it so that students can resubmit if I want them to be able to revise. This then ensures that all students will be using the same doc type, too.
In the event that not every student has access to or ability to use, say MSWord, I have also experimented with using the advanced upload, allow notes feature available in 1.8 (and perhaps in 1.7--I skipped from 1.6 to 1.8 so am unfamiliar with 1.7). This assignment type gives students the option to copy/paste into the notes area or upload the doc as they are able. The only snag I've run into with this mode is that students have prematurely hit "submit for grade" and then can no longer submit uploaded revisions or notes. If the upload using different software types issue sounds as if it might be an issue for your students, the copy/paste into the online assignment box works well, too.
Each type of assignment has the ability for instructors to give detailed feedback that is private between instructor and student. The only reason I could see the database being handy would be if you did an assignment that started out as a private assignment, but then you wanted to be able to have students publish finished products in the end for a kind of group study guide or something of the sort. In any case, if privacy is key, I would use the assignment over the database.
If you have a little more time to devote to it on the front end, the
lesson is also a good way to go to set up worksheet type assignments that have components that build upon one another. It does take some time to learn how to do lessons, though, so if you are on a time crunch, I would use the assignment module. Hope this helps,
Lesli