Lab 1: Cloud GIS Basics

Goal and Background:

This lab introduced the class to basic cloud (ESRI Server) stored mapping. This was done through the University's ArcGIS Online organization account that allows students in geography classes accounts. Using data from the Learn_ArcGIS account on ArcGIS Online, the class explored the functionality of labeling and symbology in the browser after copying the maps and data of a Hawaiian island to ArcGIS Online accounts. Next, data was from a past UWEC field trip to Austin, Texas to create a story map in ArcGIS Online.

Methods:

Part 1:

After logging in at www.arcgis.com with my school enterprise account, a search was made using the box on the upper right side of the screen for Hawaii Island Lava Flow Risk, clicking on "search from maps" in the drop-down menu. The box on the left side of the screen limiting my search to only maps from my organization was then unclicked. Finding the map created by the Learn_ArcGIS account, the name was clicked to view the item details. From here, I read through the description, then all of the other metadata details including the layers and credits. The thumbnail image was then clicked, bringing up the map in the map viewer.

I next clicked on different elements and observed the metadata and the pictures that are displayed in the pop up windows, taking in the options that are available for attribute data display and making sure not to miss the other pages that are available in these attribute display windows.

Then, the content tab on the left side of the screen was clicked that sits next to the buttons for switching to the "About" and "Legend" panels. The legend button  was then clicked to see the classifications that would appear in the legend.

Moving on, turning on and off different layers using the check marks next to different layers in the contents panel was experimented with, and after turning off the Hazard Zones polygon layer, the LiDAR derived hillshade and basemaps underneath were revealed. All layers were then edited in order to get more and less information displayed in different levels of transparency. It looks better to increase the transparency of the hazard zones. This was done using the drop-down menu on the layer in the table of contents and is shown in the image below. The basemaps were also changed to observe the other ESRI supplied options using the basemaps button..

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Next, the save button was used to make a version that would be stored in my content folder that could be edited to a greater extent than the version being viewed from the Learn_ArcGIS account. The same information was entered that the original map had. The save was targeted to the my content folder on ArcGIS Online.

The symbology was then changed of the new saved map in the my content folder.The highway layer was selected in Contents, then the change symbology button clicked to open options in the panel.  The highway symbology was changed to "Location (single symbol)" because there is only one type of highway on the island. In the symbology settings it was noted that there were options for making the feature only visible in certain scale ranges. The map was finally shared with the class by going to My Content using the button on the top of the screen, then checking the box next to the map made and clicking share, then clicking on the check next to the class.

Part 2:

I created a new map by clicking on the map tab at the top of ArcGIS Online and then clicking New Map at the top of the map view. I now put together the same map I had copied in the Part 1 by searching for layers using the search for layers option under the add data button.

I then searched for all of the layers by name and clicking on ArcGIS Online in the dropdown menu after the "In:". After, I saved the map using the same details that were included in the part 1. I also edited the names of the layers by clicking on the appropriate button in the dropdown menu when clicking on the more options button next to each layer. I also turned on labeling in this menu by configuring with the create labels button, and did the same thing with pop-up windows with the configure pop-ups button.

I now built a story map using data that was given to my by the professor. I created a map in the same way I created on in the last small section. I then changed the basemap to Terrain with Labels in the aforementioned way. After saving the map with an appropriate title, tags, and summary, I navigated to my content and clicked on the name in order to open the metadata view. I now clicked on the Create Web App button, choosing Using a Template.

The Story Map Tour template was now chosen, and in the next dialog window "I need to upload my images" was selected. In the dialog window after that, "Create The Layer" was chosen. In the story map editor, the add button was clicked for each photo that was uploaded and the information for the photo was entered including coordinates as the images were not geotagged.
The story map was then saved after completion of uploading and entering in data for photos.

Results:

The above story map shows all of the events that took place in Austin, Texas. A viewer of the map can see pictures and the map of where the picture took place and switch pictures by clicking on the arrows or the places on the map.


The above map shows a custom made map using layers from the Learn_ArcGIS ArcGIS Online account. It displays roads in an easy to see but not obscuring shade of gray, and shows emergency shelters as well. Finally, the transparency of the hazard zones layer allows for the LiDAR derived hillshade to show through.

Sources:

Data was supplied by the instructor, Cyril Wilson, and by the Learn_ArcGIS ArcGIS Online account.