The State of Ed Tech with Special Guest Brandon Smith

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Ed Tech expert and CEO of Integrity Advocate, Brandon Smith, to discuss career transitions and the current state and outlook for education technology. Brandon shares his remarkable journey from a dedicated law enforcement officer working undercover in narcotics to a C-suite leader in the educational technology sector. Brandon reveals how navigating the ethical dilemmas he encountered in law enforcement, including exposing corruption within his own department, and how those experiences fueled his passion for making a positive impact in the education sector, and led to a pivotal career change that reshaped his life. Brandon shares his lens on the state of ed tech and highlights the pressing need for innovation in higher education. He discusses how institutions are adapting to changing student demographics and the rise of microlearning, delving into the complexities of educational institutions and emphasizing the importance of understanding their unique cultures and the impact of new leadership on the adoption of technology. Plus, Brandon addresses the growing trend of students opting for alternative pathways to education, including skills-based certifications and online courses, and the role these play in shaping the future workforce. Connect with Brandon: Integrity Advocate: https://integrityadvocate.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonasmith/ X: https://x.com/EdTechXperts Book: ‘The Silent Leader’: https://a.co/d/ftlfMKH Ed TechExperts: https://edtechxperts.org/ info@edtechxperts.org Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0