• How to setup and embed a Google Calendar

    Embedding a shared Google Calendar in HISD pages is a simple and easily maintainable way to share events with students, staff, parents, and the community. Additionally our Google Apps instance automagically updates the events on the web immediately.

    Note: This tutorial was written for the new Google Calendar interface. If you're not using the new interface, click the blue "Use new Calender" button in the upper-right corner. You can always go back to the old calendar interface later by clicking the gear icon and selecting "Back to classic calendar".

    On the Google Calendar Side:

    1. From your HISD Google Calendar page, click the "+" right of the "Add a coworker's calendar" item in the left menu and select "New Calendar". (If you've already got a calendar you wish to use, skip this, hover the mouse over the desired entry in the left calendar list, click the 3 vertical dots next to the calendar name and select "Settings and Sharing", then jump to step 5.)
    2. Give your new calendar a name and description. Remember, you can embed as many calendars as you wish so be descriptive.
    3. Click the "Create Calendar" text in the lower left corner.
    4. After a few seconds the new calendar will appear in the left menu list. Once it does, click the entry and then "Calendar Settings"
    5. Change the "Auto-accept invitations" to "Do not show invitations".
    6. Check the "Make available to public" checkbox and then "OK". Make sure the "See all event details" option is selected.
    7. Scroll down to the "Integrate calendar" section and find the "Embed code entry".
    8. Click on the line containing the text "iframe" (it will turn blue).
    9. Right click the blue text and select "Copy". You'll need this on your clipboard for later steps.

    Note: Any event placed on this calendar will be shared to the entire world!

    On the BlackBoard WCM Side:

    1. Create a new blank page, or select an existing page
    2. Click the "Manage Apps & Layout" link
    3. Click the "Add App" button
    4. From the list on the left, select the "Embed Code" app and click "Create New"
    5. Give your app a name, something descriptive but not too long, then click "Create"
    6. Back at the main page, drag the app to your desired placement (if needed) then click the blue "I'm Done" button
    7. Click on your new app (the gray bar with "Embed Code")
    8. In the textbox provided, right click and "Paste" the contents of your clipboard from "On the Google Calendar Side: Step 9"
    9. Click the "Save" button
    10. Give yourself a sound pat on the back, you just created an embedded Google Calendar app like the one below. If you need additional calendars, just lather, rinse and repeat.

    I cannot stress enough that all events placed on this calendar will be publicly available to anyone and everyone!