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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

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GIS Jeopardy

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  1. Better Maps: A canvas!
  2. Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  3. Better Maps: Legends
  4. Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  5. Lying with Maps Project

Handouts

Today’s cookbook

Lying with Maps Project

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Basic GIS = Making intelligent and meaningful maps!

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Intelligent: Can be changed, data layer concept, zoom levels, contain geospatial data, can be saved and shared, digital, etc.

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Meaningful: Visualize relevant spatial patterns to an audience.

http://visualoop.com/25795/digital-cartography-74

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Week

Date

Topics

Assignment

Week 1

9/4 (Th)

What is GIS?

HW1

Week 2

9/9, 9/11

Web GIS I

HW2

Week 3

9/16, 9/18

Web GIS II

HW3

Week 4

9/23, 9/25

GIS Mapping 1

HW4

Week 5

9/30, 10/2

GIS Mapping 2

HW5

Week 6

10/7, 10/9

GIS Mapping 3

HW6

Week 7

10/14, 10/16

Lying with Maps Project

Project 1

Week 8

10/21, 10/23

Review and Reflection I

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Week 9

10/28, 10/30

GIS Data I

HW7

Week 10

11/4, 11/6

GIS Data II

HW8

Week 11

11/13 (Th)

GIS Data III

HW9

Week 12

11/18, 11/20

GIS Analysis I

HW10

Week 13

11/25 (Tu)

GIS Analysis II

HW11

Week 14

12/2, 12/4

GIS Analysis III

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Week 15

12/9, 12/11

Review and Reflection II

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Course Schedule

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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

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GIS = Intelligent and Meaningful Maps!

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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

Analysis Layers(s)

  • ‘Active’ data layers that show your GIS analysis, for example your choropleth map.

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Base Layer(s)

  • Static background data that provides spatial context without distracting from the GIS analysis shown in the analysis layers.
  • Often: satellite images, aerial photographs, roads, town lines, etc.

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➔ The analysis layers show your creativity and intelligence in GIS analysis, whereas the base layers are supposed to look good and show where the analysis layers are located in space.

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Base Layers and Analysis Layers

Which are the Analysis Layers(s)?

Which are the Base Layer(s)?

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Base Layers and Analysis Layers

Which are the Analysis Layers(s)?

Which are the Base Layer(s)?

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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

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Good Legends = Good Map!

A few general comments

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  • In ArcGIS the legends are dynamically-linked to the map = the legend changes automatically when you change your map.
  • The Legend Wizard create basic useful legends, but always fine-tune your legends!
  • Layout: vertical or horizontal, title, border, background, etc.
  • Content: all layers? selected layers? units? labels?
  • If you map physical data (e.g. elevation, temperature, etc.) then the legend has to include the units of measurement!
  • Rename your layers!

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Good Legends = Good Map!

Explore ArcGIS Desktop Help: Legend

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Explore ArcGIS Resource Center: Legend

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Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

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Base Layers from ArcGIS Online

Caution!

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  • You need a live and fast Internet connection!
  • High-resolution files – be patient!
  • Limited yourself to one base layer!
  • Use a simple base layer

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➔ Go ahead and try it out!

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Base Layers from ArcGIS Online

Go ahead and try it out!

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  • New map, add a base layer from ArcGIS Online
  • Add an analysis layer (for example the Pittsburgh schools)
  • Create choropleth
  • Add map elements and print!

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15 of 22

Class 13 (Thursday 16 October 2014)

​

GIS Jeopardy

​

  • Better Maps: A canvas!
  • Better Maps: Base and analysis layers
  • Better Maps: Legends
  • Better Maps: ArcGIS Online
  • Lying with Maps Project

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In this project, you practice your ‘lying with maps’ skills – using demographic data for the 48 contiguous US states (and Washington D.C.). The best way to learn how to make a meaningful map is to practice just the opposite: making a bad map that deliberately distorts the data and creates false impressions.

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This project includes four complementary parts:

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  1. A literature review to learn more about the topic
  2. A GIS mapping task where you practice good (and bad!) map making skills
  3. An interpretation task where you analyze and explain your maps
  4. A project report to formalize and document your project

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This mimics the standard scientific project sequence: you investigate an issue (= background research/literature review), you conduct the analysis, you interpret and explain your analysis, and you discuss/publish your findings. Plus: you document your study.

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Mapping Task

  • Map 1: objective and lying
  • Map 2: objective and lying

Analysis/Interpretation Task

  • 5 questions
  • Explain your choice
  • Consider alternatives!

Ask for clarification, help, suggestions, and support!

Literature Review

  • Monmonier (2005)
  • Jerry’s Tips
  • Making a Meaningful Map

Reporting Task

  • 11 pages as detailed
  • Due next Thursday
  • I expect perfection

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Task

Goal

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Clicking on the keyboard...

Task

Goal

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Creativity, Intelligence

Tool

Stop clicking!

Start Thinking!

Planning, Organization

Task

Goal