Blackboard Vista: Using the Calendar Tool

Step 1: Go to Calendar

1. Under Course Tools, click Calendar. The Calendar screen is displayed.

Step 2: Go to Add Entry

1. Click Add Entry.

Step 3: Add Entry

1. In the “Title” text box, type a title that identifies the entry. Our example shows Blackboard '08 Conference.
   
2. (Optional) In the “Description” text box, type the body of the entry.
   
3. In the “Dates” area, select a date and time to start and end the calendar entry.
   
4. In the “Entry Type” area, select whether the entry is for your personal calendar or the course calendar.
   
5. In the “Access” area, select whether the entry should be Private or Public using the drop-down list.

Step 4: “Optional” and Save Entry

The following are optional, except for saving.

• Recurrence: Use this option if you want an entry to repeat at specific intervals during a course.
• Links: Allow you to directly attach files to an entry or link to content within the course.
  • Add File: Allows you to attach to external or internal course files.
    
  • Add Content Link: Allows you to link directly to content in course such as web links or an assessments.
    

NOTE: You can not add a file and a content link in the same Calendar Entry.

1. Click Save. The entry is added to the Calendar.

Step 5: Go to Calendar Settings

Using the Calendar Settings you can decide the following for your course:

• Whether or not students can make public entries.
  
• The default “access” type for an instructor entry.
  
• Preferred Calendar view.
  
• What courses to display in the Calendar for your course.

1. Click Calendar Settings. The Calendar Settings screen is displayed.

Step 6: Calendar Settings

Changing settings is optional.

NOTE: Our example shows many courses. You may not have as many.

1. If you make any changes, click Save.

Step 7: Calendar View

You can change the Calendar View using the View drop-down menu.

1. Select a view option from the drop-down list.
2. Click Go.

Step 8: Go to Create Printable View

You can create a printable view of specific criteria in your Calendar.

Examples are:

• Start and end dates and times.
  
• Specific text.
  
• Courses.
  
• Access level.

1. Click Create Printable View. The Create Printable View screen is displayed.

Step 9: Go to Create Printable View

1. Use the drop-down lists, radio buttons, and check boxes to define the criteria you would like to print.
   

   NOTE: Our example shows:
   Start date: April 1, 2008.
   End date: April 21, 2008.
   Ignored the specific text option.
   Only the Demo and Orientation - Faculty Resources course.
   Both private and public entries.
   

2. If you make changes, click Continue. The Printable View screen is displayed.

Step 10: Printable View

1. Click Print.