Norman A. Crowder is considered the father of branching programmed instruction. He developed the concept of branching programmed instruction in the 1960s.

Branching programmed instruction is a teaching method that allows learners to progress through instructional material at their own pace and based on their individual needs and performance. It is a form of adaptive learning that provides personalized instruction to students.

Crowder's work in branching programmed instruction was influenced by the theories of B.F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist and behaviorist. Skinner believed that learning occurs through the consequences of actions, and that reinforcement and repetition are essential for learning to take place.

Crowder's contribution to the field of programmed instruction was the development of a branching structure that allowed learners to navigate through instructional material based on their responses to questions or problems. This branching structure provided learners with immediate feedback and directed them to appropriate content based on their performance.

In traditional linear programmed instruction, learners progress through the material in a fixed sequence, regardless of their individual needs or performance. However, in branching programmed instruction, learners are presented with different paths or branches based on their responses. If a learner answers a question correctly, they may be directed to more challenging content. On the other hand, if a learner answers a question incorrectly, they may be directed to review or remedial content.

This adaptive nature of branching programmed instruction allows learners to receive personalized instruction and focus on areas where they need more practice or review. It also provides immediate feedback, which is crucial for effective learning.

Overall, Norman A. Crowder's development of branching programmed instruction revolutionized the field of instructional design and paved the way for personalized and adaptive learning approaches. His work continues to influence educational technology and instructional design practices today.