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Chapter 1

Chapter 1 briefly introduces GIS and other key factors we covered in our class introduction before we started reading this book. It also goes over some other key features, such as some basic information about web GIS, some types that you know we might need or how to do things, basic plans of how specific GIS apps work, some of the archetypes of what GIS has, and Components of GIS, so a lot of it is going over stuff we would’ve covered in the readings of what GIS is. It also shows us some ways to path GIS applications, which is really interesting. It also shows that attachments have been a popular DATA service. The how-to tutorials cover some of the stuff, like adding features from the things to layers, and they’re very helpful. The tutorials explain what can cause trouble with these activities, especially since some parts can be confusing.  Not all of them include visual directions to help students. Some do, and some don’t, so it varies, but overall, seeing specific GIS examples is very helpful.

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Hi, my name is Jeyoung Son and I’m a senior at OWU. I am from South Korea. I’m double majoring in Data Analysis and Quantitative Economics. I did not take GEOG 291. I’ve studied with Python, R, and SQL before, so I’m comfortable with data. I’m taking this class to see how ArcGIS Online can fit with what I’m already studying.

Comments on Exploring My Esri Account:

The first thing I noticed was how many resources there are for beginners: training courses, tutorials, and help pages. Since I’ve never touched GIS before, the Help and Training tabs are probably where I’ll end up spending most of my time. Good to know they’re there. The sharing part caught my eye too. In group projects it’s always a mess when everyone has their own version of the data, so being able to work on one shared map sounds really convenient.

Comments on Reading (What Is ArcGIS Online?):

I didn’t know much about ArcGIS Online before this reading. From what I understood, it’s a cloud platform, so you can make maps, run analysis, and share everything from a web browser. No desktop software needed. I didn’t expect that, and it’s way easier than I imagined. That’s much more convenient than I expected. The part that stood out most to me was ArcGIS Notebooks. You can use Python in them to analyze geographic data and automate tasks. Python is the language I’m most comfortable with, so this is the feature I’m most excited to try.

Comments on the ArcGIS Online Basics Training:

Since this was my first time using any GIS, the training was a good way to get familiar with how ArcGIS Online works. What I found most interesting was adding different data layers to a map. I’m used to looking at data in tables and graphs, so seeing the same kind of information on a map felt like a totally different way to look at it. I also learned how to share what you make with other people, which would be a nice way to present results from a data analysis project.

GIS Applications:

1. Poverty and income mapping

The U.S. Census Bureau has maps that show poverty rates by state and county. Instead of scrolling through a spreadsheet, you can compare areas right away and see where the differences are. Because I’m studying Quantitative Economics, this one made the most sense to me. Economic data looks different when you can see where it actually is.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/library/visualizations.html

1. Population distribution mapping

The Census Bureau also has interactive maps showing where people live. I can see this being useful for researchers who want to track how areas are changing, and for governments and businesses making decisions about things like transportation, housing, and public services. As a data analysis student, I thought it was cool how population numbers become much easier to understand once they’re on a map.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Interactive Maps
https://maps.geo.census.gov/ddmv/map.html

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this week was my first real introduction to GIS. I have a data analysis background, but working with geographic data is new for me. I’m looking forward to learning more and seeing how I can combine GIS with the data skills I already have.

Chapter 1: GIS is a very commutative platform and it can reach a lot of people from different places and for a low cost. I also learned that GIS is made up of a lot of various coding languages like HTML that can help people access ArcGIS in multiple devices, especially mobile ones. Additionally, the GIS software can be implemented in many fields, such as business, politics or everyday life. I found this informative especially since many people may associate these topics separately. However, the more I learn, the more I realize that these topics are interconnected and GIS is more than just maps. Furthermore, one of the most popular features of GIS is their cloud. Which has become increasingly popular due to online shops. I think it’s interesting how the software can allow many collaborators to work on a single project but is there a limit? Perhaps it was answered previously and I missed it, but it is something that I did wonder about as I read. 

Chapter 2:  The main focus of this chapter was to highlight the importance of using layers to give the GIS maps more depth and accuracy. Some of these feature layers include hosted feature layer, hosted vector tile layers, hosted scenery layers and much more. Although the chapter mostly emphasizes on hosted feature layers from scratch or from pre-existing data. I also learned the different mapping styles which included heat map, color and size map, and vector field maps. These features make it a lot easier for one to create a map and to know which is the better option for certain studies. I also really like that there are tutorials you can use as a reference when it comes to making GIS. Although, one question I have is who is constantly updating these base maps and dates that the ArcGIS web provides to its users. I wonder if they have integrated AI to help it function, or if there are developers that constantly monitor and update their information. I don’t know if it was addressed, it’s possible that I missed it, but it is something I am curious about especially since I think the book was released in 2022.

Application Idea: One possible application would be to look at data centers in the state of Ohio. I would share my study with others on ArcGIS web so others can help me. I believe this would make a lot of sense for a study that analyzes a large place. I would use available online datasets including information regarding, construction, energy, economy, environmental impacts and data centers. From what I learned in Chapter 2, I would create a timeline block on my map to show how data centers, or unfinished data centers affected nearby regions. This subject does involve a lot of interrelated fields, so I would organize my data into different layers as well. This interactive map could demonstrate the consequences of building data centers in Ohio or similar states.

Chapter One

I found Chapter One fairly easy to complete with prerequisite knowledge from GIS291. Additionally, have had taken the introduction course, I was familiar with basic operations such as basemaps and operational layers, and the levels of sharing for ArcGIS Online projects. I found the most difficult part to be learning how to edit and manage fields in the online version of ArcGIS, as it is formatted quite differently from the desktop version. Additionally, some of the formatting for the ArcGIS Online program seems to either differ by computer or has been updated since the textbook was written. Some of the screenshots looked very different to what I had, but everything functioned correctly, and I was able to complete the assignment with no substitutions or internet searches for clarification.

Chapter Two

Chapter 2’s tutorial took longer for me to complete, and was generally more challenging, but did introduce some very helpful concepts for learning GIS Online. Namely, the coding section of the pop-ups was fairly difficult to complete and was entirely new to me. It reminded me of some of the Python expressions assigned to complete in GEOG291, but was now entirely unfamiliar to me. Additionally, similarly to Chapter One, there were some sections of the textbook which had outdated or vague information, but luckily, it was fairly simple to complete. The story was tedious to complete, but incredibly important for refreshing my knowledge on Story Maps in GIS and how to accurately create them, especially in an easy-to-process format.

Applications

Some of the applications for my data that I have considered was mainly understanding median income in major US cities. Comparing population growth to median income could also help those considering moving out-of-state analyze the potential for competition in their job field, or to compare their current nearby city to the income level and population growth of a nearby city. An application for the first chapter’s data could be creating brief tour guides or highlights of an area, aimed at highlighting landmarks to tourists.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 introduces Web GIS and explains how geographic information can be accessed, shared, and used through the internet. One thing that stood out to me is how Web GIS makes mapping more accessible to people who may not have experience with traditional GIS software. Instead of only creating maps on a desktop program, users can publish their maps online and allow others to interact with the information. I think this is especially useful because GIS can be applied to many different fields, including environmental science, urban planning, and public services.

Another concept I found interesting is how different layers of geographic information can be combined to better understand an area. For example, looking at land cover alongside roads, streams, and developed areas can help identify patterns that might not be obvious when examining each dataset separately. However, the usefulness of these maps depends on the quality of the data being used.

Question: How can we determine whether online GIS data is accurate and reliable, especially when working with datasets collected at different times or using different methods?

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 focuses on smart mapping and how GIS can be used to communicate information more effectively. I think one of the most important things about creating a map is making sure the information is easy to understand without losing its meaning. The colors, symbols, and classification methods used can influence how people interpret the data, so it is important to choose them carefully.

I also like the idea of using GIS to tell a story about a particular place or environmental issue. Maps can help people recognize patterns and understand relationships that might be difficult to see in a table or written report. For example, combining land-cover data with information about waterways or urban development could help show how human activities affect the surrounding environment. I think this is one of the most useful aspects of Web GIS because it allows people to explore information themselves rather than simply being told what the data shows.

Question: How can we make maps visually interesting while ensuring that the way we present the data does not mislead people or influence them to draw inaccurate conclusions?

Potential Web GIS Application

One application I would be interested in creating is an interactive map showing land-use changes and environmental resources in Delaware County, Ohio. I could use publicly available GIS data to map land cover, streams, parks, and developed areas to explore how development may affect the surrounding environment. If historical datasets were available, I could also compare land-cover patterns from different years to see how the area has changed over time. Using ArcGIS Online, I could organize the information into separate layers and use different colors and symbols to make the map easier to navigate. This project would allow me to apply the concepts from both chapters while exploring how Web GIS can be used to communicate environmental changes and support conservation and land-use planning.

In chapter 1, the basics of Web GIS are covered and how it can help people find geographical information.  I learned that Web GIS helps people understand real-world problems using maps. I think Web GIS is useful because it’s easy to access for everyone and easy to share information. My only question is who is it much different from traditional GIS?

In chapter 2 we learned about the technology related to Web GIS. Web GIS uses different components such as web browsers, serves, map, and geographic data to share information. People can interact with maps without needing any special software. I think this is really interesting because it makes it accessible to everyone. My question is how do Web GIS servers update the information as things change?

I think an application I would use this for is showing the recreation areas in a particular area and mapping where I could climb and where I could hike. Using data I could mark locations with trails and locations where climbing is permitted. This would allow users to click on each location and view the information. 

Chapter one’s tutorial was all about creating a web app on ArcGIS that compiled the work throughout this chapter. I began by creating a feature layer, then adding the fields and attributes, which I found to be the most challenging section of this tutorial. I then created the web map, adjusted the symbology and created the instant web map to finish out this tutorial. The purpose of doing this is that it allowed me to create a compacted source of data and information that anyone is able to view and is set in an understandable and easy to interpret format. 

The second chapter dived deeper into using the various tools and features of ArcGIS, like creating a story. I began this tutorial by once again creating the feature layer using the downloaded chapter data from the textbook. After this, I configured the layer by adjusting the map to display arrows in cities’ locations as well as changed the color and middle divider. Following this step, I adjust the pop-ups by entering the given expression and changing the text. After this, I created the story, which was by far the most challenging section of this tutorial. Creating the story involved a lot of inserting web maps, various texts, adding map actions, and swipe blocks. Creating the story allowed me to compile all of this information and data into a very organized and easy collection.

Possible GIS Application

Tutorials two and one focused on how you can compile information, data, and maps into a public display that allows for an easy view of this compilation of information. I could see this being used in a real-world situation like if a service that needs to not only use maps for themselves but also share top others so they can be easily accessible and easy to interpret for others. An organization like the National Park Service requires specific and detailed maps to use for their own needs but also be able to disperse that information to the public so they can use it as well. Creating something like a story or web map app could help create a public composition of this information and maps and include descriptive text and information to help interpret the maps that are being presented.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 introduces Web GIS and explains how geographic information can be shared and viewed online. One thing love is how GIS is no longer limited to desktop software.  We can now create maps and share geographic information through websites and applications. This makes GIS more accessible to people who may not have experience using mapping software. I also thought it was interesting how different layers of geographic information can be combined to create maps. This could be especially useful for environmental studies because it allows researchers to examine relationships between land use, development, and natural resources.

One question I have is how accurate online GIS data is compared to data collected directly in the field.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 focuses on smart mapping and using GIS to communicate information. I think one of the most important aspects of mapping is how information is visually presented. Colors, symbols, and different layers can make geographic patterns easier to understand.

I am especially interested in how GIS can be used to tell stories about environmental changes. Maps can help people understand how an area has changed over time and how human activities affect the environment. I also like the idea of combining maps with images and written information to explain geographic problems.

Possible GIS Application

One GIS application I would be interested in creating is an interactive map showing Indigenous historical and cultural sites throughout Delaware County and central Ohio. I am especially interested in the Adena and Hopewell cultural traditions and their burial mounds, earthworks, and ceremonial sites. Using publicly available historical and geographic data, I could map documented sites and examine their relationships with surrounding rivers, forests, and other natural resources. I would also like to investigate how urban development and land-use changes have affected these areas over time. This application could help educate people about Indigenous history in Ohio while also bringing attention to the importance of protecting and preserving culturally significant landscapes.

Chapter 1

Web GIS is like building a digital map from scratch. You have data, raw information, like a spreadsheet containing addresses or locations.  Web Layers are taking that raw data and putting it online so it shows up as shapes, points, or lines on a screen. Web Maps combine your data layers with a background map (like satellite imagery or a street map).  Tools, built-in functions that help you search, measure distances, or analyze area details. Web Apps, the final, easy-to-use webpage or phone app where non-technical users can tap on map locations to see photos, details, or reports. Two-Way Information,  people in the field can use phone apps to upload photos, reports, and new map locations directly to the cloud in real time. Cloud Storage, everything is saved online, making it easy for teams to work together from anywhere. 3D & Interactive Visualizations,  Maps have upgraded from flat 2D images to full 3D models and virtual reality views.

Chapter 1:
This chapter provides insight into what Web GIS, what it is used for, and how to use it to portray visual information. GIS has gone from a file-based single computer system to a globally accessible server. It has a large number of advantages including global reach, large number of users, low cost, better cross-platform capabilities, easy use, and easy maintenance. The term GIS has two meanings, the first one being intrinsically science-based, and the second one being a scientific tool. Many organizations use GIS in both contexts. The government uses it to share public information services, businesses use it for advertisement, scientists use it to create research areas, and the general population uses it to plan their daily activities( restaurants, stores, navigation, etc…).

The chapter 1 tutorial for this book guides users through how to make a Web GIS app that shows major points of interest in Redlands, CA. This tutorial starts with publishing a hosted feature layer from a CSV file and adding attachments to it. The tutorial then shows how to add a field to the layer and edit the attributes. You then create a web map before creating an instant web app using this information.

Application: Creating a map of the Marion county school districts, centering on the main administrative offices of each district. Data points would include attributes like the district name, student enrolment numbers, state report card ratings, and the address of each building. Using this application, users could view each district while obtaining important information.

Chapter 2:
This chapter focuses on web layers and web apps. It shows how smart mapping, custom pop-ups, ready-to-use geospatial data, and narrative storytelling work together to present the data in an easy to understand way. Web layers are the foundation for web applications, and web apps are what users interact with to examine the data. Story maps have become a very popular web application format for sharing spatial findings and geographic information to the public. I have used storymaps in the past for the Animal Behavior class provided here at OWU, and it was very user-friendly. I was able to use it without having any prior experience with it prior. Web layers can be hosted or nonhosted layers. Hosted feature layers are stored directly in ArcGIS online, while nonhosted feature layers are connected to databases.
Smart mapping analyzes dataset attributes automatically and recommends intelligent default styles, color ramps, and symbols. This uses styling methods which include point density, color and size representation for multiple variables, percentage comparison of multiple factors, relationship mapping using bivariate choropleth styles, and Predominant category mapping. Pop-ups are used to make it easier to interact with the map. Pop-ups display text, charts, pictures, and other media. Arcade expressions are used when layers lack specific fields. The end of the chapter talks about storytelling using ArcGIS StoryMaps, which takes maps, media, and text, and inputs it into modular blocks to make the interactive story.

The second tutorial in this book talks the reader through how to geocode a CSV file of U.S. city populations into a hosted feature layer, apply above and below smart mapping styles, configure arcade pop-up expressions and charts, and publish a story app that features 3D web scenes, sidecar maps, and express maps.

Application: Creating a map that shows house prices in Delaware county since the year 2000. This map would show the change in home price values have changed over the years and across different townships and neighborhoods. The points on the map would show median sale prices, average days that a house is listed on the market, price per square foot, and income levels in the area. The app would include a swipe tool to compare home prices from 2000 through.