Formative assessment and instructional scaffolding are essentially the same thing. Formative assessment uses insights about a learner's current understandings to alter the course of instruction and thus support the development of greater competence. Scaffolding refers to supports that teachers provide the learner during problem solving--in the form of reminders, hints, and encouragement--to ensure successful completion of a task. Four strategies illustrate the strong connection between formative assessment and research on learning: eliciting prior knowledge, providing effective feedback, teaching for transfer of knowledge, and encouraging student self-assessment.