Chapter 1:
Through having already done GIS 291, I felt a lot more equipped and knowledgeable on topics when going into this lesson. I understood what was happening both within the entry level maps that were made, as well as in the writing and publishing process, seeing as I had to create a project and submit projects previously in ArcGIS 291. Chapter 1 felt like a basis level venture into working with WebGIS as a means to create maps from data, and sharing said data and information with other people so that they can learn and understand. For me personally, the instructions that are in the online book don’t fully correlate to the controls and buttons that are on the WebGIS page. It took me 30 mins trying to find the photos and files button so that I could add images and it took me forever to figure out that I just had to go to where it had the attachment paperclip icon. Talking about adding images to the maps, I actually enjoyed doing it because I think that it adds more character and design. During this chapter, I also created an instant web map, which is something that I had done before in the previous class. I always was kind of confused on the purpose of using an instant web map, but that confusion was resolved the more I actually read and understood in the textbook and through doing the different assignments. That seems to be a running theme with me and these assignments, I am confused and whole heartedly questioning why I have to do this stuff, and then I actually read and do the assignments and I’m not as confused anymore- it’s funny and maybe even ironic (at least to me).
Chapter 2:
Chapter 2 was based around uploading maps and creating “stories” essentially that pinpoints the information you are trying to get across. During this lesson, I made 2 maps using pre made data that was provided through ArcGIS. This lesson was another one that I perceived as easier because of how thorough the instructions were for making maps and adding in information. In comparison to when I had to read and follow instructions is ArcGIS 291. It felt like someone was holding my hand and guiding me through, as opposed to feeling like someone put me in a cage and wanted to see me perform. This might sound kind of drastic, but when I was doing ArcGIS 291, I felt like a monkey that was locked in a room with a typewriter and left there until they wrote the entire constitution.
I will say that when I was “creating a story” for the map that was created, it seemed a lot less high stakes than when I had created my last one. I’m sure this is because we’re only on chapter one of the book that teaches you how to do these things, but a lot less writing, information, and background citing (actually no citations at all) went into writing and creating the story or app that I had posted. One hiccup that I had while creating the app was the fact that the link they told us to copy and use for the video section of the project, so I just improvised and changed the link to instead lead you to the music video to “My love is mine all mine” by Mitski. There was definitely a more beneficial approach or video that I could have added, but I didn’t. 🙂
Data and applications:
I know this has been done like 20 times over, But I would create a map using data based on the migratory patterns of the endangered monarchic butterflies. I could want to track migratory patterns based on a “kaleidoscope” or group of butterflies. Because Monarch butterfly migration is unique both in how long it is, and how many generations are included in each migration pattern, I would track both the generations, deathrates, and species variations in one region. I saw one region because I believe scaling over the entire United States or globe would definitely be too much, at least for a smaller scale map. I would create this map using a full Northern America map scope, including different pinpoint locations based on where the birthing and drop off rates are most extreme and high. These pinpoints would include locations as well as population numbers for the butterflies.