Under Construction (I will be Comming back to this to see if this is the assignment)
Chapters 3 and 4 of Getting to Know Web GIS expand on the practical tools and workflows that bring Web GIS to life. Chapter 3 introduces the concept of web layers the building blocks of online maps and explains how different types such as feature, tile, and imagery layers are published, styled, and shared. It emphasizes how cloud based platforms like ArcGIS Online simplify data publishing so users can focus on visualization and analysis rather than software management. The chapter also explores how web maps serve as the foundation for web apps, dashboards, and story maps, showing how dynamic mapping can communicate ideas more effectively than static displays. Chapter 4 dives deeper into smart mapping, discussing how symbology, classification, and pop-ups can enhance spatial storytelling by turning raw data into intuitive, meaningful visuals. It also highlights tools for analysis such as spatial queries, buffering, and heat maps that allow users to uncover trends and relationships hidden in spatial data.
Application idea: Using my own GPS data, I could design an ArcGIS Experience Builder app that displays my walking routes over time, with widgets that show the total distance covered, elevation changes, and areas visited most often. Pop-ups could include date and weather details for each route, creating an interactive story of my weekly movement patterns. This project would connect what I’ve learned from Chapters 1-4 by combining map publishing, smart visualization, and app creation.