Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

Chapter 3 was all about additions of the experienced builder it contained widgets, i.e. basic widgets, their functional layout, and how they perform as Apple tools and layout widgets all the way up to target and triggers I think the widgets are good way to make a more interactive map from how we did in 291

Chapter 4 focuses more on mobile GIS, i.e., the mobility of itsmation accessing a large volume  real-time info of users. It was built around mobile devices operating mobile systems and wireless communication. I think that I would like to use the surveys for my final project since we don’t have a library anymore, and that was my favorite place to study. I would like to find out where other students study.

 

My name is Daniela Flores and I’m from Pennsylvania. I’m a sophomore, environmental science major.

I’m familiar with arcGIS since I took GIS 291 before spring break. I was familiar with the website and found it rewarding that I already knew how easy it was to navigate. It was cool to explore the new website and sort of start over in a way, learning the basics but through a different lens. The online basics training helped me go back into my memory at the start of 291 and really grind the foundational skills into my brain so I could learn them. Meow I really enjoyed the format of the basic training, it was simple information you could learn along with the quiz that helped confirm you learned the topics. I liked learning about things we had used in arcGIS, and learning what they are used for. 

One of my favorite ways GIS mapping is used is shark and sea life tracking. The website OCEARCH is a website that tracks sea life like turtles, seals, sharks and dolphins, with this they are able to see things like migration patterns that we have never seen before. Another GIS application is ASPCA to look at the locations of animals in their shelters, and most at risk to reduce shelter intake, and help the shelters that need it more.

Chapter 3

Learning about the experience builder was very cool, and I think that this type of tool will allow people who might not be familiar with GIS to fully engage with the maps and take an interest into the respective topic. The tutorials seemed to be very helpful when navigating the online interface. I also found that the question and answers section was useful for troubleshooting issues.

 

Chapter 4

I thought the little remark about the post PC era was interesting and actually very thought provoking. I tend to group all of technology together and honestly forget what it would be like to not have all of the devices that I have now. Mobile GIS seems to be very useful when you need to access data with the tip of your fingers. I also thought that the table that organizes the sharing of feature layers made it much easier to understand. The section on Rapid Data Collection was also very cool!

Application Ideas

I can see how both of these sections are useful for people out in the field or for people who might not be completely familiar with the backend of GIS and just need to access the data rather than build a map. I think an application for both of these sections would be in the public health field, where someone needs to access data about addresses and their specific municipality to understand where cases of a disease are clustered. Then, out in the field using some true boot strap epi, using the mobile app would allow you to access data and use this to your advantage when identifying issues.

Data inventory

I did this in 291!

Selecting Ideas

I am thinking of going the public health and epidemiology route to try to use concepts from chapter 3 with data from the Delaware Data Inventory in a way that could be applicable to the health department.

Hi, My name is Jes Powell and I am from the Cayman Islands.  I am currently a senior and doing a major in Studio Art.  

For Week 1 the first thing I did was look around my ArcGIS Online account which I was already semi familiar with as I took GEOG 291 during the first half of this semester.  I looked at My Settings, ESRI, Training, Community and Forums, ArcGISBlog and Help which I had already seen some of these from the previous section of this class when one of the tutorials required us to create something on the website.

When doing a read-through of Get Started: What is ArcGIS Online it was pretty basic and standard information.  It laid out the basics for using ArcGIS Online along with what it is useful for.      

The training course, ArcGIS Online Basics was easy to follow through and had a visualization of the information presented which made it easier to understand.  The quizzes were also easy to do and were placed in a way that made it easier to recap each section which was useful.  

The last thing I had to do for this week was to go on Google Scholar and look at something based on my own personal interests.  I started with doing a general search of GIS applications related to birds and found an article on a Bird Migration and how ArcGIS online was used to create a story map that provides information on bird migration through animation maps that show the routes of different species of birds.  My second search was related to the population of stray cats in specific areas which led me to an ArcGIS online story map which was not related to stray cats. It was still interesting as it took a look at how GIS was used to save their cat.  They used GIS to look at the map of sewer networks and stormwater lines and used it to map where they needed to be to get their cat.

 

Source:

https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/story-maps/mapping/telling-the-story-of-bird-migration

https://explorer.audubon.org/explore/species/1469/american-white-pelican/migration?sidebar=collapse&selectedHex=&zoom=3&x=-787128.6037500007&y=2377104.4919&range=0.0350%2C0.0550

<https://storymaps.com/stories/fa56126cacc641c6bde9562ac7b2a7cb>

Getting to Know Web GIS (2022, 5th edition)

Chapter 3

Web apps created using Experience Builder are called web experiences. Web experiences contain at least one page and can have multiple pages or windows.

Creating a Web Experience:
1. Pick a template (Web AppBuilder classic, mapcentric, dashboard, web page, or website)
2. Select a theme
3. Add source data
4. Add and configure widgets (functional and layout) (configure content, style, and action settings)
5. Refine layouts
6. Save, preview, publish, and share

Widgets, or a JavaScript and HTML component that encapsulates a set of focused functions, can be categorized into two groups: message actions (listen to triggers and perform actions automatically) and data actions (actions button that users can click and select from a list of actions to perform). Triggers, targets, and actions are the three components of message action configurations. 

The three editions of Experience Builder are embedded in ArcGIS Online, embedded in Portal for ArcGIS, and developer edition, with new enhancements first added to the ArcGIS Online edition, then to the developer edition, and finally to the Portal for ArcGIS edition. 

 

Chapter 4

Mobile GIS refers to GIS for use on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) and is built mainly on android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems as well as wireless communication technology (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular network technology, and satellite internet services) and positioning technology (GPS and IPS). 

Hosted feature layer views provide a direct way to share data with the public and simultaneously allow members within the organization to keep that data up to date.

A feature template defines the types of data items that users can add to a layer.
Data integrity: Prevents users from entering invalid values for important attributes
Ease of editing: Makes it easier for users to know what type of feature they are using or adding

Depending on the development of the team’s skillset, the application’s required functionality, the targeted platforms, and the amount of funding available, a mobile app may be developed using a browser-based approach, a native-based approach, or a hybrid-based approach.

ArcGIS Field Maps allows organizations to plan and coordinate fieldwork, access maps online or offline, capture accurate data and return it to the office, and obtain the locations of mobile users as well as monitor their current location and analyze their previous locations. 

Survey123 provides two ways to design smart forms: Web Designer (quickly build surveys with no training) and ArcGIS Survey123 Connect (supports more advanced question types or more complex rules). 

ArcGIS QuickCapture is designed to capture data from a moving vehicle.

ArcGIS Indoors assists in understanding the location of things and activities happening within an organization’s indoor environment.

ArcGIS Companion allows the user to access their ArcGIS organization, content, and profile.

Chapter 4 – Survey

 

Application based on ideas from Chapters 3 & 4

I could create an Emergency Response Routing App to assist first responders in Delaware County with identifying optimal routes during emergencies. Using data layers like road networks, traffic patterns, fire stations, hospitals, and parcel data, the app would generate the fastest and safest routes based on real-time conditions. First responders could input an incident location, and the app would analyze road closures, traffic congestion, and proximity to emergency facilities to recommend the best path. Interactive features could allow users to visualize service areas for fire stations and hospitals or predict delays based on historical traffic data. This app would improve response times and enhance coordination between emergency services.

Chapter 1

The first chapter provided an overview of Web GIS, highlighting its growing influence across various sectors, including government, business, research, and education. What stood out the most was the versatility of this technology, especially in terms of data hosting and sharing. Whether data is stored in the cloud via ArcGIS Online or managed locally by users, Web GIS seamlessly integrates key components like data, layers, web maps, scenes, tools, and applications. Understanding how these elements interact to create dynamic, shareable maps helped clarify the overall system.

The tutorials reinforced these concepts effectively. I learned how to generate new items, organize them into folders, incorporate images into popups, and publish maps for public access. The process was fairly intuitive, particularly with prior experience using ArcGIS Desktop. However, Web GIS takes accessibility to another level, making data visualization and sharing much simpler for a wider audience.

Chapter 2

Building on the first chapter, Chapter 2 explored different layer types and introduced smart mapping, a feature that streamlines the process of designing maps to highlight patterns within data. It was helpful to see how smart mapping automatically suggests styles and applies data-driven logic, making it easier to create clear, visually appealing maps without requiring expertise in cartography. The table detailing various mapping styles served as a useful guide for selecting the most appropriate visualization method based on the project’s goals.

Another key takeaway was ArcGIS Arcade, a scripting language that allows users to modify how data appears in popups, even when certain attributes are not readily available. It reminded me of working with formulas in Excel but adapted for GIS applications. The chapter also delved deeper into popups, demonstrating how they can be customized to enhance the user’s understanding of the data being displayed.

A particularly interesting topic was Story Maps, which enable users to integrate text, multimedia, and interactive maps into a cohesive narrative. This makes them a powerful tool for communicating complex information to audiences who may not be familiar with GIS. The tutorials guided me through creating Story Maps with various features like swipe comparisons and timelines, adding an extra layer of creativity and clarity to map presentations.

Applications Based on Chapters 1 & 2

The concepts from these chapters inspired several possible applications. One idea is a dot density map illustrating all pet stores in the area that sell cat toys. A heat map could be created to visualize the concentration of cat owners based on licensing records or survey data. Another application could be a web map showcasing notable landmarks and attractions in Delaware County, which could be beneficial for tourism and educational purposes.

Additionally, a feature layer could be developed to display underutilized agricultural land within the county, aiding in land-use planning and sustainability initiatives. A more advanced application could involve a flood resilience planning tool, leveraging local data to assess how upcoming infrastructure projects might be affected by flood risks. Such a tool would be valuable for both community members and local government officials in making informed decisions about future developments.

Chapter 1

The first chapter clearly explains the tools available for web GIS. I was impressed with the number of ways WebGIS can be used. I also like how accessible it is to use, it has a global reach, and allows you to share with people. It’s interesting how this technology came to be, the history was very informative.

Chapter 2

Chapter two focused on smart mapping and more informative terminology for ArcGIS. There are so many types of layers, and even different types of layers, such as hosted layers, have different kinds. Intriguingly, so much data can be turned into many different maps. Each map tells the story of its data and can make it easier to understand. Learning all this new terminology makes me question if people who have jobs in this field have all of it memorized or if they figure it out as they go. 

Application 

I used the table on page 41 for some map examples. You could use a continuous timeline with residential data to watch patterns and trends of new houses built and their price, or you could watch which areas are still vacant. 

Chapter One: This introductory chapter gave me a better idea of how Web GIS works and was a deeper dive into that compared to the article that was assigned last week. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how the new version of Web GIS differs from past versions, such as how the site evolved and what it offers now. The chapter gave an overview of the components of ArcGIS and the content types of the site.  There were some helpful tutorials included as well and I enjoyed that they communicated each step clearly, along with providing pictures when necessary.

Chapter Two: This chapter provided more detailed information on layers, the purpose of different types of layers, and what exactly we can communicate with these different kinds of layers. The sample table of smart-mapping is super useful as well and I know I’ll be referring back to it when creating different types of maps. I also liked how the authors explained what steps a user should take based on what type of story they want to tell with their maps. I was especially interested in the idea of express maps, because I liked how this can allow you to draw different features on a map (in my experience, this makes navigation a whole lot easier).

Applications: An application for these two chapters could be my personal story, because this intrigued me when I saw this example on page 35. I could place different markers based on where I grew up, where I live now, the schools I went to, etc. I think that creating an express map would be the best way to portray this information. This is because I could mark the points of each area I’d like to focus on, and also be able to draw arrows from one destination to another. An express map could allow me to annotate different areas on the map and explain my personal story even further.

 

 

 

Chapter 1

This book shares a very good quality with the book from 291 which is that they both are able to provide very thorough explanations of somewhat complex topics, while keeping it concise. The first chapter discusses the first stages of Web GIS and its evolution to the modern cloud-based service. It also discusses the purpose behind Web GIS and its unique place in different GIS systems. In addition it makes a point to examine the ways in which Web GIS has kept up with technological advancements. I appreciate how much of an emphasis is placed on the social aspect of Web GIS. 

 

Chapter 2

Chapter two opened with explaining to the reader what feature layers are. Although I did not explicitly need to learn this again because of my experience in 291, it again does an amazing job as always of maintaining concise, clear explanations. The main focus of this chapter is to have the reader learn how to create and use hosted layers. The process of creating different layers and maps in Web GIS is very similar to the Desktop version, however it is much more polished than the actual software itself, which I guess makes perfect sense to be accessible and user-friendly.

 

Application

An application for the parcel dataset from the Delaware County database is creating a continuous timeline of the most recently sold parcels to the possibly never sold parcels. This could be useful to city planners and community organizers in spatializing the places in the county that have high levels of generational wealth.