Add Google Calendar Link to Email Templates

[itstrueitstrueitsrealitsreal]

• Environment: V9-0-0-b6a

Description of feature/enhancement

This enhancement introduces the ability to add deadlines directly to Google Calendar via a link embedded in email templates. This link is dynamically generated based on the event details and allows recipients to quickly add the event to their calendars with accurate date and time settings.

Justification

This enhancement benefits all users (students, instructors, and administrators) who interact with deadline-driven tasks and assignments. By facilitating a direct way to remember and manage deadlines via Google Calendar, we improve user engagement and reduce the chances of missed deadlines. This feature is particularly beneficial in educational settings where managing multiple deadlines efficiently is crucial.

Existing similar features and their shortcomings

Currently, the system sends email reminders for deadlines but lacks direct integration with calendar services. Users have to manually enter or copy event details into their personal calendars, which is prone to errors and may lead to oversight. The proposed feature automates this process, significantly enhancing usability and reliability.

[damithc]

Thanks for proposing this feature, @itstrueitstrueitsrealitsreal

While it is a useful 'convenience feature', it is also a very general feature i.e., not specific to TEAMMATES. Hence, we can expect this feature (i.e., converting dates in text to events) to be provided by other software such as the OS, Browser, email client, calendar etc. (especially in this era of AI-powered software). So, I'm a bit hesitant to add it to TEAMMATES, considering the cost of adding and maintaining a feature (the latter is the higher cost).

That's my first impression. Others are welcome to pitch in with your views.

[weiquu]

Thanks @itstrueitstrueitsrealitsreal for the suggestion. Generally agree with what @damithc said; there's also some complications regarding the updating of deadlines or if deadline extensions are given, which (if I'm not wrong) would result in previous calendar events being out of date, unless we store and update the calendar events. I don't think this added complexity is worth having, and we might also end up confusing users even more if this is the case.

Will close this issue in a few days if no other comments or added justifications.

[domoberzin]

Closing this issue as per the discussion above