Articles by Nora Carr
Using QR codes for school communications
Quick Response (QR) codes—those black-and-white squares that look like a cross between supermarket bar codes and postage stamps—have real potential for school communications....
Five tips for digital communication in the new year
With a new year approaching, it's a great opportunity to re-evaluate what’s working—and what’s not—in your classroom, school, or district communications program. Here are five tips to power…
FCC opens access to social media sites for e-Rate users
Now that even the staid Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has loosened its tight rein on social media networks, it’s time for more educators to use these tools to…
Ten tips for using social media in school communications
With social media networks now ubiquitous, it’s time to shift the debate from whether it’s a good idea for educators to use this new medium to how to…
How schools can get better media coverage in the digital news ecosystem
According to a new study by the Brookings Institution, Americans want more news coverage of their public schools. But to improve the media’s coverage of public education, school…
How to fight back against devastating budget cuts
If educators are going to win back the hearts and minds of the public in support of public schools, they need to learn how to engage social media…
Recognizing the warning signs for teen bullying, suicide
Mainstream media outlets have coined a new term to describe the rash of student suicides committed in the wake of persistent school bullying and harassment: "bullycides."…
Can eBooks help bridge achievement gaps?
As more traditional book content goes digital, educators are left wondering whether technology will make achievement gaps even wider—or whether electronic books might act as a bridge for…
Demographic shifts require changes in school communication
Unprecedented demographic shifts in the U.S. are creating a communications gap between teachers, principals, and the students and families they serve, forcing educators to rethink their school communication…
How to avoid committing social media gaffes
With social media use nearly universal, school districts need to develop guidelines to help employees navigate this new terrain successfully. Here are some tips to avoid committing major…
Inexperienced companies chase U.S. school funds
With the Obama administration pouring billions of dollars into its nationwide campaign to overhaul failing schools, dozens of companies with little or no experience are portraying themselves as…
Parent video protesting state budget cuts goes viral
A video produced by parents at a California elementary school to protest state budget cuts has become an online sensation, offering several lessons in internet advocacy for school…
Education groups rally support for EETT
Alarmed at what they see as a potential setback in federal support for education technology, several dozen state and national education groups and high-tech companies have sent letters…
Teen’s suicide after repeated bullying sparks debate
A teen’s suicide in bucolic Western Massachusetts has resulted in several of her former classmates being charged with crimes ranging from disturbing a school assembly to civil-rights violations,…
Use multiple news channels to reach ‘on-the-go’ consumers
School officials need to share information via a variety of media platforms in order to reach today’s “on-the-go” news consumers, a new study suggests.…
Nora, APR, Fellow PRSA, is chief of staff for Guilford County Schools in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she oversees governmental relations, internal and external communications, special events, media relations, community relations, GCSTV 2 and volunteers and partnerships. GCS is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. A sought after speaker and consultant, Nora also serves as a contributing editor on communications for the American School Board Journal and as a monthly columnist on using technology to enhance school communications foreSchool News. Accredited in school public relations, Nora was inducted in 2008 into the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows, an honor given to only 455 of the association’s 22,000 members.
Nora lives in Greensboro, NC, and enjoys reading, swimming, singing, and spending time with her family, including grandson Braden. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Educator Resource CentersTeacher Collaboration with Digital Tools
One of technology's most promising aspects is that it enables teachers to collaborate and share lessons plans, teaching tips, and other helpful information--both within and across districts, states,…
STAR: School Technology Action Report
Stay on top of the key developments affecting education technology. Become a star in your classroom, school, district, college, or university with the STAR series—carefully selected reports composed…
Engaging Your Community with Effective Communication
Engaging all stakeholders can boost your chances of success when it comes to academics—as well as fundraising. But in tough economic times, many schools must learn to do…
Empowering Education with Video
Communication has changed, and students and educators are increasingly using video technologies in all aspects of education.…