How to Connect Blackboard to Google Calendar: Your Ultimate Guide

Connecting your Blackboard courses and assignments to your Google Calendar is a game-changer for any student or instructor. It transforms chaotic schedules into manageable, color-coded landscapes, ensuring you never miss a deadline again. The process leverages the iCalendar (.ics) format, a universal standard for calendar data exchange. Simply put, you’ll export your Blackboard calendar as an .ics file and import it into Google Calendar. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Exporting Your Blackboard Calendar

1. Log into Blackboard: Access your Blackboard account through your institution’s website.

2. Navigate to Your Course: Find the specific course whose calendar you want to sync.

3. Locate the Calendar: Look for the “Calendar” option within the course menu, usually on the left-hand side. If you don’t see it, check under “Tools” or “Course Management” for instructors.

4. Export the Calendar: This is where it gets crucial. The exact wording might differ slightly depending on your Blackboard version, but look for options like “Get External Calendar Link,” “Export Calendar,” or “iCalendar.” Click on this option.

5. Choose Your Calendar Range: Blackboard will likely ask you to specify the date range you want to export. Selecting “All Events” or defining a custom range that encompasses the entire semester is generally the best approach.

6. Generate the .ics Link: Once you’ve defined the date range, Blackboard will generate a unique .ics link or provide an .ics file to download. Copy this link or download the file. This link/file is the key to syncing with Google Calendar.

Importing into Google Calendar

1. Open Google Calendar: Access Google Calendar via your web browser (calendar.google.com) and log in with your Google account.

2. Find the “Other Calendars” Section: On the left-hand side of the screen, scroll down until you see “Other calendars.” Click the small plus (+) sign next to it.

3. Choose “From URL” or “Import”:

   • If you have the .ics link: Select “From URL.” Paste the Blackboard-generated .ics link into the provided field and click “Add Calendar.”

   • If you downloaded an .ics file: Select “Import.” Click “Select file from your computer,” locate the downloaded .ics file, and choose the Google Calendar you want to import the events into. Click “Import.” You might want to create a dedicated calendar for Blackboard assignments to keep things organized.

4. Verify Synchronization: Google Calendar will import all the events from your Blackboard calendar. It may take a few minutes for everything to appear. Check your calendar to ensure all assignments and events are accurately displayed.

Understanding the Limitations

While this integration is incredibly useful, remember that it’s generally a one-way sync from Blackboard to Google Calendar. Changes made in Google Calendar will NOT be reflected in Blackboard. You should always make updates directly within Blackboard to maintain accuracy for both yourself and your instructors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often does Blackboard update my Google Calendar?

The sync frequency varies depending on how you imported the calendar. If you used the .ics link (URL), Google Calendar typically refreshes the calendar every 8-24 hours. If you imported the .ics file, it’s a one-time import, and you’ll need to repeat the process to update with any new or changed events.

2. Can I edit Blackboard assignments in Google Calendar?

No. As mentioned, the synchronization is typically one-way. Edits made in Google Calendar will not be reflected in Blackboard. Always make changes directly within Blackboard to ensure accuracy.

3. What if the “Calendar” option is missing in my Blackboard course?

The availability of the “Calendar” tool depends on your instructor’s settings. Contact your instructor and request them to enable the calendar feature for the course. Alternatively, check under “Tools” or “Course Management.”

4. My Blackboard calendar isn’t syncing with Google Calendar. What should I do?

Several factors could be at play. First, ensure the .ics link is still valid. Blackboard links can sometimes expire. Regenerate the link within Blackboard and re-add it to Google Calendar. Also, check your internet connection and ensure Google Calendar is properly connected to the internet. Finally, consider deleting and re-adding the calendar to Google Calendar to force a refresh.

5. Can I sync multiple Blackboard courses to Google Calendar?

Absolutely! Repeat the export and import process for each course you want to sync. Create separate Google Calendars for each course to maintain organization.

6. The assignment times in Google Calendar are incorrect. How do I fix this?

This usually happens due to time zone discrepancies. Ensure your time zone settings are consistent in both Blackboard and Google Calendar. In Google Calendar, go to Settings > General > Time Zone and verify it is set correctly. Check your Blackboard profile for similar time zone settings.

7. Can I sync my Blackboard calendar to other calendar applications like Outlook or Apple Calendar?

Yes! The beauty of the .ics format is its universality. The export process from Blackboard remains the same. Then, consult the instructions for importing .ics files or using calendar URLs for Outlook or Apple Calendar.

8. How do I remove a Blackboard calendar from Google Calendar?

In Google Calendar, find the Blackboard calendar you want to remove in the “Other calendars” section on the left. Click the three vertical dots next to the calendar name and select “Unsubscribe” or “Delete.”

9. Will events I create directly in Blackboard appear in Google Calendar?

Yes, they will. Once your calendar is linked using the .ics URL method, any new events you create in Blackboard (and that fall within the selected date range when generating the .ics link) will eventually sync to your Google Calendar during its periodic refresh.

10. I get an error message when trying to import the .ics file into Google Calendar. What’s wrong?

The .ics file may be corrupted. Try exporting the calendar from Blackboard again and downloading a fresh .ics file. Also, ensure the file size is within Google Calendar’s import limits (though this is rarely an issue).

11. How can instructors share a course calendar with all students in Google Calendar?

Instructors should encourage students to follow the individual export and import steps. While it’s possible to create a public Google Calendar, it’s generally not recommended for course materials due to privacy concerns and the potential for unauthorized access. Providing clear instructions for students to sync their own calendars is the best approach.

12. Is there a way to get two-way synchronization between Blackboard and Google Calendar?

Unfortunately, a direct, officially supported two-way sync is typically not available. Some third-party tools or browser extensions might claim to offer this functionality, but they often come with security risks or rely on unofficial APIs, making them unreliable and potentially violating your institution’s policies. Sticking with the standard one-way sync and managing your schedule primarily within Blackboard remains the safest and most dependable method.