Lab 1: Cloud GIS Basics

Goals

Throughout this lab exercise we were first introduced to web maps and their basic functionalities from the perspective of an end user. We also went through the process of creating our own web maps from a developer's perspective and a story map. In this exercise we used ArcGIS Online which works along with UWEC's Geography and Anthropology Department.

Methods


Part 1: Exploring and Customizing Web Maps 

In the first part of this lab exercise we were introduced to ArcGIS online, web maps and their basic functionality. We explored a map of Hawaiian Island Volcanism and were able to understand just how interactive web maps are and the many advantages they have compared to traditional maps. Using web maps it enables the end user to not only see the geographic location of features but also learn information about certain features within the map. As shown in Fig. 1 for example, by clicking on the various volcanoes the viewer is given a description of the volcanoes, the elevation, the last eruption and an image. 

(Fig. 1) This map of Hawaiian volcanism is an interactive web map found on ArcGIS Online created by Chris Harder.

Part 2: Creating a New Map

We also learned that you don't need to "reinvent the wheel" when it comes to creating web maps but rather preexisting maps can be saved and edited. Also, using ArcGIS Online you can create web maps from scratch by selecting a base map and loading in data layers which other users have created and shared (Fig. 2). In this particular case we re-created the map we viewed in Part 1 by adding in data layers and adjusting them in a way to personalize them.

(Fig. 2) Adding data layers to a new map.

Part 3: Building a Story Map

Creating a web map was a very interesting process and it was amazing how simple they are to make. By saving a map based on the area of interest we had the option to create a web application. There are a number of different templates but in this particular case we created a Story Map Tour. We added images to the map by uploading the files, adding information such as a title and description and then adding the location based on the address, latitude and longitude of where the image was taken. After uploading all our photos the story map was complete. The end result of my map can be found in the following link: http://arcg.is/1QcOLwm. 

Results

Throughout this lab we were introduced to web mapping and creation of story maps via ArcGIS Online. Not only were we able to understand how to use web maps from an end user perspective but also how to create them from a developer perspective. A product of this lab was also the story maps we created to chronical a previous Geography 368 Field Trip to Texas.

Sources

The data for this lab was gathered via ArcGIS Online and directly Chris Harder. Data which was used to produce the story map was from Dr. Cyril Wilson of UW-Eau Claire.