Adding a Google Calendar to your LVS Course

Google Calendars represent a great improvement over the practically useless Blackboard calendars.

1. To begin, I created an LVS Calendar and a Course calendar for my class. Then, I clicked the "Setting" link that appears on the left beneath the list of calendars.
2. From the list of calendars, I chose my LVS Calendar and clicked "Share this calendar."
3. First, I clicked "Make this calendar public."
4. Then, I clicked Calendar Details from the tab menu. I scrolled down to the "Embed this Calendar" item and clicked "Customize color, size, and other options."
5. I then scrolled down, looking on the left-hand menu until I found my list of calendars. I added a check mark for my Course Calendar, and then returned to the top of the page and clicked "Update HTML." These actions combined the two calendars, changing the HTML code that appears at the top of the web page. Copy the HTML code that appears in the box.
6. I returned to Blackboard's Control Panel. I made sure that I deleted any existing Calendar menu items in Manage Course Menu. Then I created a new Content item ("Assignments" is fine) and named it "Calendar." (highlighted directions modified 09-01-2010) 
7. The word "Calendar" will now appear in your Control Panel's Content Area. Click that link, and select Item. Insert a name for your calendar, and then find the < > icon (Toggle HTML source coding). Clicking that icon allows you to insert the HTML code you copied from your Google site.
8. Click Submit, and your Calendar will magically appear.

BIG NOTE: If you change your mind, you will find it very difficult to delete your calendar (because it's a mashup). The best way I've found is to go back to Step Six and delete the Calendar menu item. Then, you can start over at that step.

If you find an easier way to do this, or want to add suggestions, please add your comments below. If this work, add a comment!