Cloud GIS Basics

Goal and Background:

This lab was designed to teach the basics of using ArcGIS online as well as creating and sharing web maps and applications.  The objective of this lab was to create a web map and story map using data available to the user online.  The first web map created was a map of the big island of Hawaii and various features on it.  The next map created was a web map of Texas that was to be used as the base map of the story map application.  The last thing created was a story map of a field trip a previous geography class went on to Texas.

Methods:

This lab began by exploring different features in a online map created by our professor.  We logged into ArcGIS online using an organizational enterprise account.  The first map looked at was a map of Hawaii, Hawaii Island Lava Flow Risk. First, simple things were explored, such as, who made the map and when, how many layers the map had, and what tags did it have.  Once the map was opened, the layers and features of the map were explored,  a few base maps were added to show the difference a topographic base map and a LiDAR hillshade of the island.  After the map was explored, the next task on the agenda was to recreate the same map from scratch.  A blank map was opened and the feature layers were searched for using data that was available from ESRI.  Once the layers were added the symbology was changed and labels were added to the Volcano layer.  The resulting map is shown below (figure 1).

Figure 1

  
The next concept was to go one step deeper to create a web application.  To begin, a webmap was created with just the terrain with labels basemap, and zoomed in to the area over Austin Texas.  This map was saved and used to create the web app.  The web map being created was a story map of a field trip a previous geography class went on.  The story map template was used to create this web app.  Once the app was created the pictures provided of the field trip were attached to the story map.  When adding a picture the web app template prompts the user to enter information about the picture such as a description, title, and in this case a location.  The locations were provided and entered in by lat and long information as well as street address.  The web app then added those pictures to the story map in the correct location.  This was done for 10 pictures then the web app was shared to the world wide web! **Link to storymap below**

Results:

This lab successfully introduced ArcGIS online and web apps.  There was not a whole lot of on your own problem solving but it showed the basics of how to use the tool we will delve into further as the semester progresses.  A web map is beneficial because it is user friendly and anyone who has internet access can access it.  A web app is also very useful because it is a more streamlined way to show the person viewing the map, story map or whatever it is  specific information without them getting bogged down by other data that may confuse them.  The developer can create the app to show specifically what they want to show.  Both of these tools will be key components of GIS in the future and is a good corner of the market to be well versed in. A link to the story map is provided below.

http://uwec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=e819182fe3d040baa6712e5fa6bca2cc


 Sources:

ESRI