My name is Kainaat Aslam and I am a senior in school at OWU. I am excited about data analysis and GIS because I believe that spatial data is something that can be extremely useful in helping us understand the world around us, especially in areas such as public health and social issues. I look forward to being able to learn more about how I can use ArcGIS Online in a practical sense.I have completed all of the assignments for this week, such as reading the course blog, completing the quiz, and making my way around my ArcGIS Online account, reading the “What is ArcGIS Online?” section, and completing the ArcGIS Online Basics course. I have already taken the GEOG 291 course, so I know a little bit about some of the basic concepts and tools. When making my way around my ArcGIS Online account, I noticed that it is a very interactive and user-friendly website. One thing that I thought was kind of interesting is that it is very customizable, especially in the profile section where it allows you to connect to training resources, forums, and the ArcGIS community all in one place. Another thing that I noticed is that it has a lot of tools and data available, so it is easier to be able to use it for projects without having to gather all of your own data.
When reading the “What is ArcGIS Online?” section, one thing that stood out to me is that ArcGIS Online is useful in that it allows users to create, analyze, and share maps in a collaborative environment. This is useful for individuals and organizations. Another interesting thing is that it allows for real-time data, and this can be useful for things such as weather and emergencies. As I went through the training in the ArcGIS Online Basics course, I learned how to make maps, how to add various layers, and how to customize my visualizations. One thing I found interesting is that I learned how to symbolize my data in different ways. Another thing I found interesting is that even though this is a very powerful tool, it is also very easy to learn how to use it, especially if I follow the tutorials. As I went through some of the other available training courses through ESRI, I found two that I think I would find interesting. One is called “Spatial Analysis Using ArcGIS Online.” I think this would help me become more proficient in using this tool for more complex analysis. The second one I found interesting is called “Cartography.” I think this is important if I want my maps to look good and be easily understood by my audience.
As I went through some of the GIS applications using ArcGIS Online, I found two interesting ones. One is using GIS in public health, for instance, by tracking diseases such as COVID-19. These maps help us track how this disease is spreading and where I am more likely to get it. The second one I found interesting is using GIS in environmental mapping, for instance, by tracking how much of our forest is being destroyed and how climate change is affecting us. These maps help us visualize some of the changes that are occurring in our environment. I found this week interesting as I got more familiar with ArcGIS Online and its capabilities, and I am looking forward to learning more throughout this course.
Another interesting application I came across is environmental mapping. An example is the monitoring of deforestation and the effects of climate change. In this case, the changes are monitored using GIS. It is possible to track changes in forest areas using the technology. It is also possible to identify areas of concern. For instance, organizations like Global Forest Watch use ArcGIS tools to analyze the patterns of deforestation. Such data is useful for conservation.
Sources:
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
https://www.globalforestwatch.org/
