Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

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.

Chapter 1: Getting To Know Web GIS:

I found this introductory chapter very interesting, as it gave a brief history of the origins of GIS, and how GIS was first developed in the 1960s by Roger Tomlinson (who developed the Canada Geographic Information System). The idea was later developed by the the Palo Alto Research Company, who developed a mapping webpage in order to track and manage their projects, which was the original web GIS.

I also found it quite interesting to learn how ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online are being utilized by many multinational companies in order to track their growth and development, as well as those of their competitors. One application I thought of for WebGIS from this chapter was a webmap detailing the Hydrology of the state of Ohio, including stream orders and which hydrological systems feed into each other. This can be used by organizations such as DelCo Water, which operate in the realm of water treatment and anti-pollution efforts. However, one question I had was whether data that can be used to construct a webmap in WebGIS is limited to forms such as CSV, shapefiles, GPS Exchange Format (GPX), JavaScript Object Notation (GeoJSON, and whether other forms of data compilation and coding could be used.

Chapter 2: Getting To Know Web GIS

The second chapter of “Getting To Know WebGIS” was also quite informative. It was very interesting to learn about ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, which provides ready-to-use content in the form of tens of thousands of data layers and maps. It was also very interesting to learn about the range of data available in the Living Atlas, including information on basemaps, infrastructure and even people.

I also enjoyed learning about ArcGIS StoryMaps, and how they can be used to construct a narrative or track the development of a certain region or regions anywhere in the world. One application I can think of for this function would be a StoryMap that tracks the infrastructural development of a town in Pennsylvania from the year 1976 to 2026 and getting to see, for example, how different buildings and structures get demolished to make room for others.

However, one question I did have while reading this chapter would be what type of coding language ArcGIS Arcade utilizes, and whether multiple languages can be used depending on the user’s comfortability.

Chapter 1:

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the ArcGIS Online platform. Readers learn from behind the scenes what WebGIS (in which ArcGIS falls) offers its users many benefits. These include ease of use and maintenance, cross-platform capabilities, low-cost, scalable cloud technology, and global sharing. These are the reasons why everyday people to government agencies use it. It has evolved from a one-way (information) flow closed website. To the modern age of portal technology, cloud services, 3d/virtual maps, and spatiotemporal data. Connects with newer, two-way open geospatial web services. It contains various content types: data, layers, web maps and scenes/tools, and apps.

The book’s first tutorial guides the user in creating a Web GIS app. Taking the fundamentals and puts them into practice. Requiring them to publish a hosted feature from provided data. Adding and altering layers, as well as attributes. Finally, taking what they entered or created and making an instant or regular web app with it.

Application: Creating a map of Columbus’ Arena District. The map would contain various points of interest like restaurants, hotels, apartments, and arena buildings. Attributes would include the building name, description, service hours (if applicable), address, longitude, and latitude.

Chapter 2:

Chapter 2 discusses smart mapping and storytelling with GIS. It explains why they’re important and how to use them. Readers learn about the various types of feature layers that fall under two main categories: hosted layers and hosted feature layers. These layers in question have to be styled in a way in order to show off the bigger picture (messaging and patterns). Smart mapping plays a role by using data visualization, symbols, and colors to present geospatial patterns. Examples of these styles include heat maps, predominant, continuous timelines, and vector fields. Readers will also learn about the purposes of pop-ups, ArcGIS Arcade Living Atlas, and StoryMaps.

The next tutorial in the book guides users on creating a Web GIS app. Using data to represent spatial patterns. Requiring them to create feature layers using geocoding. Configuring layers with smart mapping styles and layer pop-ups (using ArcGIS Arcade). Using available information to insert charts and images into layer pop-ups. Finally, interacting with swipe blocks and express maps on StoryMaps.

Application: Creating a map that compares vegetation coverage of Delaware County. Using today’s data and contrasting that with data from a century ago. The StoryMap would explain details about the types of vegetation in the area. It would also explain why these changes occur and what actions should be taken.

*I have finished the Quiz and completed the assignments for Week 1*

My name is Tomorick Hutto, and I am a Junior majoring in Politics and Government. I previously took Geog 291 as a way of gaining technical skills of GIS for future internships and opportunities related to urban planning, and I am taking this course as a continuation of learning ArcGIS but for Web. As for the first week’s assignment, I was able to get a general feel for ArcGIS Web as well as the various courses that ESRI offers through their website. After taking the ArcGIS Online basic course, not only do I have a certificate proving that I have completed the course but I am also knowledgable of what web maps, web apps, 3D web scenes, and notebooks in ArcGIS Online are and how each of these can be shared with the public, organizational members, or with groups.

Chapter 1

This chapter first introduces a variety of background information on ArcGIS Online. ArcGIS Online is accessible to anyone on the web and is prominent in government, business, and daily life. The five main types of content in Web GIS include data, layers, tools, web maps and scenes, and apps. This was an interesting difference from ArcGIS Pro, because while the mapping features are similar on both softwares, Web GIS has the addition of web maps, web scenes, and apps. The tutorial of this chapter introduces me to feature layers and services. Feature layers can be hosted or nonhosted. Hosted features are when you create a web service based on ArcGIS managed data while nonhosted features are for situations when a web service connects directly to user managed data. In this chapter tutorial, I used hosted features. I was introduced to a variety of elements in ArcGIS online that included adding attachments to layers, how to add and edit fields, symbology, how to create an instant app, and a variety of back navigation tools. The chapter finished by offering answers to a variety of commonly asked questions. I found this section to be extremely helpful because if I were to ever have problems with a concept from this chapter, the information is all in one place.

Application Idea: I would create a map of my school’s campus from back home. There are a variety of buildings located in close proximity to each other that include the high school, middle school, agricultural building, technology building, central office, and a variety of sport complexes. These buildings would serve as my points. I would include attributes such as name, longitude, latitude, address, and year built. 

Chapter 2

This chapter continues to focus on feature layers and web apps. The chapter first introduces the idea of smart mapping. Smart mapping includes maps such as color and size, dot density, compare A to B, predominance, and several others. I was then introduced to ArcGIS Arcade. Arcade is an expression language used to style, label, and add values to pop-up menus. Finally, the chapter provides context for Story Maps. Through receiving advice on functionality and what should be included, I was informed on how to make a professional, yet interesting story. The tutorial in this chapter walked me through the process of configuring layer styles and creating a story through StoryMaps. While configuring layer styles mostly consisted of symbology, I did run into an issue with ArcGIS Arcade. My problem consisted of not being able to add the percent sign in the expression editor. I eventually fixed it by retracing my steps and learning I forgot to put quotations around the percent sign. While I remembered some of the information about Story Maps from GEOG 291, the tutorial served as a useful refresher.

Application Ideas: I would create a map that compares the percent change in annual rainfall throughout the United States from 2000 to 2025. From a personal standpoint, I have learned about the changing weather patterns and feel like the area I live in receives more heavy rainfall events. I would use the above and below theme and a color gradient to represent the percent change. The story would be focused on explaining the changes in precipitation and why they are happening.

I have completed the GEOG 292 quiz.

My name is Katie McMahon and I am a sophomore this year. I am from Lancaster, Ohio and I’m majoring in Environmental Studies with a SOAN minor. I am interested in the effects of climate change and analyzing the impacts it has on humans and the environment. I want to be able to look at changing patterns of the environment and I think that GIS is a way for me to gain knowledge in that area. I also like to study human behavior in SOAN and I think that these two disciplines are connected more than we think.

On my ESRI page, I was able to look at my past work and read through some of the basics of GIS. This was helpful because it made more sense now that I have some understanding of map making. It’s important to make maps based on what the viewers need and I think I will gain more practice from the training modules. I was able to look at some articles and maps from the ARC GIS blag page and I thought it was interesting to skim over some of that material. I think seeing this information after working on GEOG 291 will help me gain more understanding in GIS.

For my basic training, I was able to reinstate some ideas that have been brought up in the readings and in the tutorials. I thought the quizzes were helpful because it really reinforced some of the knowledge of tools in GIS. I learned about different layers such as the base layer, and how lines, dots, and polygons are the three main components for map making. I also learned about how web maps are important in displaying information. One thing I thought was interesting was the indication of fonts and italics on bodies of water compared to the font for land. Lastly, I was able to gain knowledge about the different types of maps for groups, organizations, public, and private.

For my map in my module, I was able to download data of hiking trails in California. After, I labeled each trial and indicated the peak of the trial by using a mountain symbol. I lastly added a geographical base map to showcase the land formations around.