Conclusions

Finishing up Geog 353, Fall 2020:

First, a quick drift through your reduced, humbled course projects.

Second, some parting thoughts

1. Thanks for playing along with the new, COVID-inspired (required) format change for the class
2. Thanks for playing along with the unexpected move to a fully online course
3. Important to know some big ideas about maps, mapping, and GIS
   1. What is a map & maps as propositions / arguments
   2. Right Map Making and the ethics of geographic data and mapping
   3. Critical Cartography, participatory mapping, crowdsourcing, citizen science
4. Important to know the guidelines for geographic data and mapping
   1. the Making Maps book
5. Important to get comfy with technology and software
   1. ArcGIS Online: Basic goal: you can do some stuff with the software and are not afraid of it
      1. Advantages: access for many, gather/create your own data, integrate into existing technology (browsers, laptops, tablets, phones), makes aspects of critical cartography possible
      2. Disadvantages: limited analytical power, more superficial projects, most GIS work still done with desktop GIS (ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Pro)
   2. Minor other technologies (GPS enhancers): but a fuller approach would have you develop an understanding of Desktop ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online
6. Dive into some extended Big Ideas: how concepts (and rethinking concepts) shape data and mapping
   1. Desert Wonderings
   2. Feminist Data Visualization
   3. Spatial Data and (De)colonization
7. Integration: ideally in the course project: big ideas + mapping guidelines + software
   1. Probably not fully integrated: but I’m happy to continue to work with you to do this, beyond the end of the semester
   2. Can keep ArcOnline accounts: complete more of the book, ESRI tutorials and certification
   3. Can download ArcGIS Pro (from ArcOnline account): new, more integrated version of ArcGIS Desktop
   4. Can download ArcGIS Desktop (contact me)
8. That is all!