Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Geographic Information Systems Student Spotlight

GIS4043 Geographic Information Systems, Instructor, Mrs. Amber Bloechle

Data for GIS and Data Quality/Data Search


The data search was midterm time. We ventured away from our usual lab structure and worked independently on the different counties of Florida. We collected and formatted our own vector, raster and environmental data to create easy to interpret maps. We also:
  • Reviewed and recorded metadata for data coming from multiple sources 
  • Selected GIS data that meets the needs of a defined project (scale, attributes, geographic extent, time sensitive, software being used or required format) 
  • Downloaded data from online sources 
  • Practiced data management of GIS data coming from multiple sources 
  • Detected and corrected data errors for use in a GIS 
  • Intelligently selected a geographic projection to be used in a defined project 
  • Detected and corrected geographic projection issues 
  • Reprojected data from Albers to UTM 
  • Utilized select by location and clip tools in ArcGIS to isolate a study area 
  • Viewed selected records and create a new map layer from selected feature data


Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Differentiate between analogue and digital data for GIS
  • Recall fundamental data collection methods: GPS, land survey, digitizing, and census data collection methods
  • Define the four types of resolution involved with choosing a remotely sensed dataset
  • Recall characteristics of LiDAR and RADAR remote sensing data
  • Find information needed to orient and measure raster data
  • Recall important questions to ask yourself when downloading GIS data from online sources
  • Identify error in data and methods used to check GIS data for errors
  • Indicate why data standards are an important issue in GIS

                                                                          STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

                                                                          The following student was chosen for their exception work on the Data for GIS and Data Quality/Data Search assignment:

                                                                          Stewart Boyd


                                                                          About Stewart: Stewart is currently working as a licensed professional engineer in Terre Haute, Indiana. He uses maps on a daily basis for everything from mineral reserve analysis, groundwater tracking, geologic modeling, to the delineation of wetlands and streams, and etc.  Stewart primarily uses AutoCAD Map for his daily activities, and AutoCAD has been integrating GIS into its functions.  The GIS databases provided online, primarily through government websites, have made his job a lot easier on a day-to-day basis. Stewart is taking these courses to make certain he has a good understanding of the resources available and hopefully to become more efficient in his day to day duties. And by the way, he really likes making maps! Welcome to the spotlight, Stewart!

                                                                          What we like: Stewart did an excellent job of getting all of his data to line properly and even better getting it all to make sense! His maps are well organized and detailed. He also made some great design choices including symbology and labels. Way to go Stewart!






                                                                          Come back next week for the Student Spotlight from Cartography!

                                                                          Thursday, March 20, 2014

                                                                          Cartography Student Spotlight

                                                                          GIS3015 Cartographic Skills, Instructor, Mrs. Penelope Bishop Mitchell

                                                                          Data Classification Lab


                                                                          Lab description - This lab focused on utilizing ArcMap to demonstrate the basic procedures normally used to classify data for choropleth mapping.  Students classified data based on a single criterion from census information.  The provided data was classified in four different ways: Equal Interval, Quantile, Standard Deviation, and Natural Breaks

                                                                          Student Learning Outcomes:

                                                                          • Compare and demonstrate the four methods of classification generally used for mapping
                                                                          • Choose the best classification that demonstrates your data
                                                                          • Utilize ArcGIS to prepare a map with four data frames
                                                                          • Review the process to manually change class breaks in ArcGIS 

                                                                                      STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

                                                                                      The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Data Classification assignment:

                                                                                      Rena Lautzenheiser

                                                                                      About Rena: Rena's journey into cartography started years ago(post-Columbus, pre-AutoCAD), back when topo maps were still drawn by hand. She has a bachelor's degree in Land Surveying and worked for several years in surveying and construction for private companies and the National Park Service. She then took a break from that work to become a mom and a teacher. Ten years ago, she resumed surveying in the summers for the Bureau of Land Management in Montana, working mainly with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and on projects such as mining claims, river surveys, and dinosaur digs. Rena's past exposure to GIS was mainly as a resource for her surveying needs. Not she is looking forward to being on the creation side of GIS and hopes that completion of this program will lead to more exciting opportunities in the future. Congratulations on making the spotlight, Rena!

                                                                                      What we like: The lab focused on different methods of data classification and so keeping this in mind it was important to create a map document that proved easy to read for comparison and interpretation.  Rena's map did just that, paying close attention to map item alignment and overall neatness! The color scheme is one of the most important components for comparison, and Rena’s did a great job at communicating the information!  She improved readability in the legend by truncating the decimal places, and provided the document with an informative title that has a professional edge.  The second map for this project illustrated the student’s preferred method; Rena chose Natural Breaks and provided ample information within her blog, showing her understanding of the topic and backing up her decision.  Also within her Natural Breaks map, she utilized tools such as text on a path, and provided an inset of Florida, all of which contributed to her being chosen for this week’s spotlight!  Excellent work Rena!





                                                                                      Choropleth Mapping Lab


                                                                                      Lab description - In the "Choropleth Mapping" laboratory assignment students produced two separate choropleth maps, one in color and one in black and white.  These maps illustrate population change of the United States utilizing census data.

                                                                                      Student Learning Outcomes:

                                                                                      • Choose an appropriate color scheme for a choropleth map
                                                                                      • Create appropriate legend for classification scheme
                                                                                      • Calculate population change statistics in Excel
                                                                                      • Implement appropriate classification method for population data
                                                                                      • Manipulate and enhance geospatial data using graphic design capabilities of Adobe Illustrator 

                                                                                                        STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

                                                                                                        The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Choropleth Mapping assignment:

                                                                                                        Stewart Boyd

                                                                                                        About Stewart: Stewart is currently working as a licensed professional engineer in Terre Haute, Indiana. He uses maps on a daily basis for everything from mineral reserve analysis, groundwater tracking, geologic modeling, to the delineation of wetlands and streams, and etc.  Stewart primarily uses AutoCAD Map for his daily activities, and AutoCAD has been integrating GIS into its functions.  The GIS databases provided online, primarily through government websites, have made his job a lot easier on a day-to-day basis. Stewart is taking these courses to make certain he has a good understanding of the resources available and hopefully to become more efficient in his day to day duties. And by the way, he really likes making maps! Welcome to the spotlight, Stewart!

                                                                                                        What we like: This lab focused on choropleth mapping, and producing two maps showing US Population growth from 1990—2000.  The first map being in color representing population change by state, introduced the classic and possibly most difficult aspect of Cartography…which color is the right color?  Stewart hit it spot on, presenting the information clearly and keeping it pleasing to the eyes!  On top of that the overall neatness and arrangement of his map elements was superb and illustrated the concepts of craftsmanship, before the concept was even suggested!  All typographic rules were obeyed eliminating the threat of overlapping text and his legend was easily readable.  The professional, polished appearance of his map shows an understanding in navigating through Adobe Illustrator.  Overall, well done Stewart!




                                                                                                        Tuesday, March 18, 2014

                                                                                                        Internship Spotlight

                                                                                                        GIS4944/5945, GIS Internship, Instructor, Mrs. Leah Lewis, GISP

                                                                                                        GIS Internships - Let's get to work!



                                                                                                        STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

                                                                                                        The following student was chosen to highlight their current GIS internship experience.  

                                                                                                        Scott Crosby


                                                                                                        About Scott: Scott has been working for the Florida Forest Service (formerly the Florida Division of Forestry) for 23 years, the last 16 years of his career haa been spent as the manager of two state forests in Putnam County. He was promoted to a Forestry Supervisor about 6 years ago, and now Scott manages three state forests for a total of about 12,000 acres. He uses GIS extensively in his job, as one of the duties he has is to maintain the geodatabase of various features on all three forests. The geodatabase includes features such as roads, prescribed burning units, timber sale layers, firelines, and most anything else you could think of that's related to managing a state forest for multiple-use benefits. Scott really enjoy making maps, and everything about GIS. One of the other things he involved in is the wildfire side of forestry. Scott is the primary Situation Unit Leader on one of Florida's Interagency Incident Management Teams. Over the last several years, he has had the opportunity to go to North Carolina, Texas, and the Okefenokee NWR to see GIS in action in the realm of large wildfire management scenarios.

                                                                                                        About a year ago, Scott started a forestry consulting business and using GIS was extremely helpful and a critical component of creating a forestry geodatabase for several landowners, and a subsequent forest management plan. The thing he likes most about GIS, and this program in particular, is that it has kept his mind challenged.

                                                                                                        When asked if he considered himself a vector or a raster, Scott says that he thinks he is a little of each. He tends to get a little too detail oriented sometimes, and at other times he on the opposite end of the spectrum. Congratulations on making the spotlight, Scott!


                                                                                                        Tuesday, March 4, 2014

                                                                                                        Geographic Information Systems Student Spotlight

                                                                                                        GIS4043 Geographic Information Systems, Instructor, Mrs. Amber Bloechle

                                                                                                        Projections 2- Understanding Map Projections


                                                                                                        This week we took a more detailed look at map projections by:


                                                                                                        • Exploring and downloading aerials, topographic quadrangles, shapefiles and tabular xy data from two different online data sources for Florida
                                                                                                        • Identifying .sid and .swd files
                                                                                                        • Defining a spatial reference for an unknown data set
                                                                                                        • Reprojecting GIS data to a common coordinate system and projection
                                                                                                        • Recalling the difference between defining and projecting a file
                                                                                                        • Converting coordinates to decimal degrees in Excel
                                                                                                        • Viewing map scale, cursor coordinates and bing aerial basemap as a reference to determine if the defined projection is correct
                                                                                                        • Identifying UTM and state plane zones for a specific area 
                                                                                                        • Deciphering Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code
                                                                                                        • Creating x,y data using Microsoft Excel and import to ArcGIS
                                                                                                        • Identifying workable Excel file formats for ArcGIS
                                                                                                        • Locating important accuracy information regarding GIS/GPS data
                                                                                                        • Determining if retaining the “seconds” measurement in a dataset is appropriate based on the accuracy of the data
                                                                                                        • Relating coordinate values to the appropriate earth hemisphere and double checking calculations make geographical sense
                                                                                                        • Generating a map displaying aerials, topographic quads, shapefiles and tabular xy data


                                                                                                        Student Learning Outcomes:

                                                                                                        • Identify meridian and lines of latitude and longitude on a globe
                                                                                                        • Differentiate between decimal degrees and degrees minutes seconds
                                                                                                        • Convert degrees minutes seconds to decimal degrees
                                                                                                        • Recall basic earth measurement principles
                                                                                                        • Define map projection
                                                                                                        • Recall how map projections developed historically
                                                                                                        • Choose an appropriate projection based on needs of a project
                                                                                                        • Identify three basic categories into which map projections fall
                                                                                                        • Recall strengths and weaknesses of various map projections
                                                                                                        • Differentiate between a geographic coordinate system and a projection
                                                                                                        • Differentiate geographic and planar coordinate systems
                                                                                                        • Define horizontal datum
                                                                                                        • Differentiate between a local datum and an earth-centered datum

                                                                                                                                                                    STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

                                                                                                                                                                    The following student was chosen for their exception work on the ArcGIS Overview assignment:

                                                                                                                                                                    Aaron Garibaldi


                                                                                                                                                                    About Aaron: Aaron works as a Digital Orthophoto Technician at a GIS / mapping company in St. Louis, MO and has been doing this for eight years.  He love maps and geography, along with learning ways to use them to solve real world problems.  Aaron use GIS in his work every day, and feels that now the time is right to expand his knowledge and career with this Certificate from UWF. Welcome to the spotlight, Aaron!

                                                                                                                                                                    What we like: Aaron went above and beyond this week. His map includes everything were looking for: Quad identification, geographic reference to study site location in title, coordinate system identification, a easy to read legend, and over all exceptional design qualities. Aaron also provided a screenshot showing us that he was able to reproject all of his data to one single coordinate system. His attention to detail in his PS wasn't to shabby either :) Way to go, sir and keep up the excellent work!






                                                                                                                                                                    Come back next week for the Student Spotlight from Cartography!