GIS Summer Assignment - Kelsey 1
Introduction
Welcome to GIS! GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems, and it is actually a tool and an information database that is tailored to the needs of the user. It is something that is applied in the research fields, medicine, planning and development, politics, history, and any other subject or profession that you can think of. It was a critical tool in management after the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, and the 2014 Superbowl at Metlife Stadium. GIS can also be used for fun and to tell stories. In our class, you will primarily use ArcGIS for Desktop by the ESRI Corporation; however you will also become familiar with online versions of ArcGIS for logging information outside of the classroom and for work at home.
Your first task that you will share with me this semester is to create a story map of your summer vacation. This is a simple and fun way to become familiar with some of the more creative and practical aspects of GIS. Please follow this link to ESRI’s storymap homepage so you can become a bit more familiar with what it is that you are to do.
Story Maps are all about telling a story, and that is what you are going to do. I want you to tell the story of your summer vacation. Where did you go? What did you do when you got there? Etc. This could involve the entire summer, or some aspect of it (i.e. college visits, vacation destinations etc.). You will present them the first week of school.
http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/
Part I:
This assignment requires a number of small tasks that need to be completed before you can start the actual project. They are listed below. When these are finished please proceed to Section II.
Uploading pictures:
In order for you to create a story map, you will need to use photos that you or someone else that was with you has taken that will help to tell your story. Try to use no more than 20 pictures as they can get a bit lengthy when you use more than that. Please avoid using random pictures from the internet unless you have no other choice. Story maps are all about YOUR story.
Once you have decided what pictures to use you have two options.
· You can share the album on facebook (All of your info and comments will be kept private.)
· Create a Google+ account and upload the photos there (make sure that the album is open to the public)
If you have completed (or did this as you took the pictures) you can then proceed to Part II.
Part II
Go back to the Esri page for story maps (http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/) and follow the link for story telling apps under the “Get Started!” section.
You will only be able to use the “Sequential” or “Place-based Narrative” options but feel free to explore the other options. You can’t use the other types because you need to make a basemap in ArcGIS first, and you haven’t learned how to do that yet.
When you click “Build a Tour” under the Sequential section, it will take you to the ArcGIS sign in page. Follow the link at the bottom for creating a public account because you are a student with no money and it is free. Fill in the appropriate information and hold onto the username and password as we will use this throughout the semester.
When you are ready to start your map, it will prompt you to select where you would like to get your photos. If you have them on your Google+ then select the “Picasa” icon and type in your email, or select the “facebook” icon if your photos are there.
Now the fun begins! Once you have uploaded some pictures it will then load the app screen where you can use the map and find the location of your photos and begin to edit and customize your story. Use descriptive captions and titles and make it your own, and feel free to change the base map. Don’t make it too wordy as you describe your photos, but your captions should be able to adequately describe what you are showing and what you did.
Use the “Help” feature at the top of the App Configuration page to guide you as you create this story.
You can also check out the links below to give you some more guidance about how to refine your story.
Make sure that you view some stories in the Gallery to give you some ideas on how to proceed. The piping plover one is pretty interesting, even though it deals with America’s dumbest bird…
It's super simple to create Story Maps. You can do it in just 5 minutes. (Really.)
Helpful Tips:
“Six Steps to Publishing Your Story Map”
http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/articles/publishing-your-story-map/
“Story Map Support”
http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/support/
Explore the Gallery for examples and ideas:
http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/gallery/#s=0&n=30&d=1
Requirements:
A concise and well written narrative
· It is clear what story you are trying to tell
· Titles and captions are relevant
· Not too wordy (if you can say something in 6 words rather than 10, then do so)
Appropriate and high resolution pictures
Creative and visually pleasing design
When you are finished you will email me the link of your completed storymap. You do not need to publish this map unless you want it out for the world to see. When you save it, it will be under “My Content” in your Esri user account. To access your saved map go to the following link and sign in:
http://www.arcgis.com/home/
Click the “My Content” link at the top.
Your user folder directory should appear on the left hand side of the screen. Click on that folder and then click on your map. Copy and paste the URL of your map to me by the first day of school in September. My email is .