GIS Online Student Spotlight - Michael Dumais

Congratulations to Michael Dumais on being named Student Spotlight for his outstanding work in GIS Programming (GIS 4102).  

 

Michael is an great example of the working professional and non-traditional student enrolled in the GIS Online Certificate Program. Mike Dumais is a Senior Programmer Analyst with Collier County, Florida, where he helps to manage the county's spatial data. To follow Michael’s work throughout the program, check out his blog at Mike's GeoTreks Blog

Welcome Mike and congratulations on being named the first GIS Programming spotlight of 2015!  I say it each week, but that spotlight is so bright and hot.  You might want to rethink that fur hat!  Keep up the great work!

 

Module 4: Debugging & Error Handling

Instructor: John Derek Morgan, PhD, GISP

In this Debugging Module, students practiced correcting errors in Python scripts and learned ways to identify what the errors were. Students were given three script templates containing errors. In the first two, they utilized the debugger and other methods to correct the errors. In the last script, they practiced adding a try-except statement, which will identify errors and let the script continue to run without crashing.

Student Learning Outcomes:

•  Recognize syntax errors and exceptions
•  Use debugging
•  Review the content of error messages
•  Add print statements to scripts
•  Selectively comment out code
•  Use a Python debugger
•  Handle and raise exceptions
•  Handle geoprocessing exceptions and other error- handling methods
• Watch for common errors

Mike was able to identify all the errors in the scripts and successfully implement a try-except statement. Additionally, he has been a strong presence on the discussion board, helping other students work through their own errors. Mikes blog post illustrates both his lessons-learned and creativity that makes for an interesting read. Way to kick off the semester Mike!

Next week, we will spotlight a student from GIS 4800 - Applications in GIS taught by Penelope Mitchell. 

GIS Online Student Spotlight - Kasey Helms

Congratulations to Kasey Helms on being named Student Spotlight for her outstanding work in Applications in GIS/GIS 5100.  

 

Kasey is enrolled in the Graduate Certificate Program.  She recently finished eight years in the Navy, serving the last year in Bahrain.  While overseas, Kasey earned her BS in Environmental Studies and worked as an analyst.  During this job, she was first introduced to power of GIS.  Kasey enrolled in GIS Online Program because he hopes to transition into a civilian job in the GIS or analyst field.  Kasey currently lives in Southern California with her two water-loving dogs.

Thank you for your service Kasey and welcome to the spotlight.  It can get pretty hot in here.  Let's hope the year in Bahrain helped prepare you for the heat!  To follow Kasey's work throughout the program, check out her blog at Kasey's GIS Adventure. 

Module 1:  Suitability Analysis

Instructor:  Dr. Paul Zandbergen

Suitability Analysis, sometimes referred to as a multi-criteria decision making, is a “classic example” of GIS that was developed in the early days of the technology. Students were introduced to different types of suitability analysis and the typical workflows used to implement suitability analysis. In this module, students practiced a couple of different suitability models in both vector and raster.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Perform suitability analysis using both vector and raster analysis tool
• Prepare data for use in suitability analysis
• Compare different approaches to suitability analysis, including Boolean and scoring
• Compare vector and raster tools to complete specific steps in suitability analysis
• Adjust specific parameters employed in suitability analysis, such as scoring and weighting

For the final map deliverable, students ran the weighted overlay tool twice, comparing an Equal-weight scenario with an Alternative scenario. Kasey did an excellent job with not only her analysis, but final cartographic submission. Her symbology choice effectively communicates areas which are most suitable from first glance. Also instead of leaving the tabulated areas from each scenario buried in the process summary; she decided to include this table on the final map document thus associating a quantified area with each color swatch in the legend. Kasey’s final submission is an excellent example of when good analysis meets great design, awesome work Kasey!!

Next week, we will spotlight a student from GIS 4102 - GIS Programming taught by Dr. Derick Morgan. 

Mid-MOOC Progress Report and Spotlights

It is hard to believe that we are half-way through UWF’s first MOOC! The response has been overwhelming and we have you to thank! To date, we have over 3200 students registered and have awarded over 1132 badges. According to a recent mid-course survey, student experiences and feedback is exceedingly positive!

We have contacted several of our students and with their permission, highlighted them below.  We greatly appreciate all the kind words.  If you are enrolled in the MOOC and want to share your experiences, please contact me (Leah) at lewis@uwf.edu.

I am excited to see what the remaining of the course brings in terms of student interaction and growth.  If you have yet to register - there is still time to join the MOOC movement. Click to get started!


Leah

Dr. Joseph Kerski, GISP, Esri Education Manager -- "Rigorous.  Good balance of theory and practice.  Thank you!"

Megan B. Government Cartographer --   I really wanted to let you know how impressed I am with the class. One of my duties at work has been to train staff in various GIS platforms. Since I work in a production environment I am always looking for better ways to teach as I often times have a very wide range of skills throughout my classes. Your class has given me new ideas and ways on making my materials better. The power points are perfect, not too much information to overload the students with and they are direct and to the point. The labs are definitely my favorite, from content to layout and graphics, these exercises are just perfect for new comers. It is challenging finding free GIS classes that are structured and taught well and I am truly thankful that I found your class. I hope in the future UWF may think of having some more advanced classes in GIS.

 

Ian Krauss, Government Research Assistant -- “I regretfully did not take any GIS courses while I was in college and now use GIS at work. I began teaching myself simple tasks through different tutorials but none of them were comprehensive enough to develop my skills where I felt confident in them. The MOOC via the University of West Florida has done a great job so far of teaching me the terminology and basic skills that many other free tutorials do not offer.”

Kirk C.-- "A great way to keep apprised of the current environment within the GIS world and how it applies to my field."

Elizabeth C., University of North Carolina Wilmington -- "I am learning how to make maps. In addition, it has been helping me make critical decision making processes, and become more confident in my abilities."  (photo coming soon)

Mike P. -- I've been out of GIS for a very long time. This course has helped re-familiarize myself with core concepts."

Zachary Shrader -- “The course has been extremely helpful, as I have been able to implement many of the course concepts directly into the projects I have been assigned at my job. My current job is cartography-heavy, so the first two labs were particularly useful in helping me to remember things that I had previously learned.

GIS Online Student Spotlight - Brandon Duesenberry

Congratulations to Brandon Duesenberry on being named GIS Online Student Spotlight for his outstanding work in Applications in GIS (GIS 4048).  

Brandon is a shining example of a non-traditional GIS Online student.  Brandon is a member of the United States Air Force and was deployed to Afghanistan for the entire spring semester.  He has recently returned to the Gulf Coast and when not excelling in GIS or at work as a Full Motion Video (FMV sensor operator), he is spending quality time with his wife and two small boys.  Brandon, we thank you for your service and are excited to have you back in Florida.  To follow Brandon's work throughout the program, check out his blog at Brando's GIS Odyessy. 

Module 2:  Natural Hazards - Lahars 

Instructor:  Penelope Mitchell

The first GIS application investigated in GIS4048 is Natural Hazard planning and mitigation. For the lahars lab, students utilized DEMs and the Hydrology toolset found within the Spatial Analyst extension to determine potential drainage flow around Mt.Hood in a potential volcanic event. After streambeds were determined, students overlaid census data to determine the at risk population. Lastly, the data was compiled as a cartographically polished map to effectively communicate the information.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Define Default Geodatabase
• Create data using the Go to XY tool and Convert Graphics Feature
• Explore Spatial Analyst (SA) extension
• Prepare data for processing in a geodatabase including, but not limited to, proper nomenclature.
• Perform a raster mosaic using ArcToolbox
• Conduct analysis using the Hydrology Toolset in the SA extension
• Identify potential inundation areas during a lahar event
• Identify Census Block Groups
• Perform location analysis based on distance
• Identify population areas using attribute table data
• Assess hazard areas using Select by Location and buffer tools
• Create multiple deliverables based on findings

Mt. Hood, Oregon.  Photo obtained from NASA, 8/5/2009.

Brandon correctly completed the DEM analysis to generate streams and adjacent low lying hazardous areas. Although the analysis workflow was tricky, presenting the information was equally as difficult. Brandon did an excellent job differentiating map elements and information to allow for quick data acquisition and interpretation. The different label styles are simple, but very effective at communicating different features. The schools and associated numeric key is very useful and prevents the map from being overcrowded with labels. The background DEM symbology and associated legend item is very effective at communicating map topology thus facilitating the user's’ understanding of potential hazard. Way to kick off the semester Brandon!

Next week, we will spotlight a student from GIS 5100 - Application in GIS taught by Dr. Paul Zandbergen. 

Sweet Summertime @ GIS Online

Summer is here and the GIS Online team has hit the ground running, with no intention of slowing down!

Certificate program students have enrolled in GIS Programming (GIS 4103/5103) with Dr. Derick Morgan and GIS Applications with Dr. Paul Zandbergen (GIS 5100) and Ms. Penelope Mitchell (GIS 4048). Summer also marks the beginning of our graduate level certificate courses and a great time for all students to start thinking about internships.  We are happy to report that we have an outstanding bunch of students registered and we can’t wait to share their hard work and growth through the student spotlights. You will begin seeing weekly spotlights starting next week. In addition to spotlights, we plan to also post MOOC updates for the next few weeks. It’s nice to be back blogging – we’ve missed you!

You may have heard that UWF and GIS Online launched the university’s first MOOC (Massively Open Online Course) on May 18, 2015. This Introduction to GIS project has been in the works for the last 12 months and we are all quite pleased with the final product. As of today, we have just over 3000 registered in the course. As part of the orientation process students were asked to complete a demographic survey. So far, just shy of 1000 students have completed the survey and left us with the following tidbits of information.

• Most participants are between the ages of 24-34 and more than half have some experience with GIS whether through a classroom setting, online course, or their job.
• Many of the participants are taking this course with hopes to earn a promotion or work towards a career change. 
• Close to 40 % of the respondents live in North America but it is so very exciting to see people all over the world in our course. GIS Online @ UWF is truly a global name! 

There is still time to register if you are looking to refresh your GIS skills or simply find out what MOOC’s are all about. We welcome all current students, alumni and friends to join us! This is also a perfect time for your family and friends to get a glimpse of your passion for GIS – because we all know it gets old describing what we do as kind of like Google Maps but not really...

Student Spotlight - Cartographic Skills, 4/6/15-4/17/15

GIS 3015/L Cartographic Skills
Penelope Mitchell, Instructor

Congratulations to Lucas Milheiser  for being selected as this week's student spotlight!  Check out Lucas' blog here - Adventures in Cartography.   Lucas is originally from Wisconsin, but currently lives in Nebraska. He works for the Bureau of Reclamation as a Natural Resource Specialist were his job duties primarily involve land management of the Federal Estate in both Nebraska and Kansas (Permits, trespass resolution, agricultural land classification, etc.) In addition to that, Lucas also works a few days a month as a Geospatial-Intelligence Analyst in the Air Force Reserves. While this position has given him a basic understanding of GIS, the exposure to civilian software such as ArcGIS is a new topic.

Away from the Bureau and Air Force Reserves, Lucas is a proud dad to 4 children, ages, 4,3,2, and a newborn.  Whew ~ Lucas, you are one busy guy!!  Welcome to the spotlight and congratulations on being the best of best this week.  You rock!!


Module 9: Flow Line Mapping

Module 9 required students to undertake Flow Line Mapping.  Flow maps utilize lines of varying width to depict the movement of phenomena between geographic locations.  Students utilized Corel draw to create a distributive flow map to illustrate global immigration figures into the United States.  Lab materials provided base maps produced in ArcMap, and left students with the task of rearranging continents and creating proportional flow lines and corresponding legends in accordance with design principles.

Lab Learning Outcomes:

• Assess design issues for flow line mapping
• Calculate proportional line widths using excel
• Construct flow line map using proper design techniques
• Apply style and visual effects in CorelDRAW

Lucas stood out as a spotlight due to the originality in his work.  He demonstrated proficiency with graphic design software CorelDraw by fully utilizing the software capabilities to leverage the geographic content of his map.  You may already notice the difference in his map--he strayed from the conventional globe layout, moving far Eastern continents to the left side of the map page to allow preferred placement of the flow lines.  To clarify the augmentation, two ellipses were placed beneath the continents.  Lucas also did an excellent job creating smooth, curving, proportional lines without concealing any geographic information.  The color schemes chosen and drop shadow implemented work to promote figure ground distinction and establish proper visual hierarchy.  Nice job Lucas!

I would also like to give props to former spotlight, Alicia Lindbom, for a textbook perfect Flow Map--great effects, great lines, excellent design choices!  As well as to, Brandon Deusenberry for a great page layout, legend design, and beveling effects!

Student Spotlight - Introduction to GIS

GIS 4043/L Introduction to GIS
Amber Bloechle, Instructor

Congratulations to Kelly Broomfield for being selected as this week's student spotlight!  Check out Kelly's blog here - Kelly's Blog .  Kelly works at Hurlburt Field, Florida and serves with the United State Air Force.  He is a Geospatial Analyst who has a strong background in remote sensing.  By taking the GIS courses at UWF, Kelly hopes to increase his marketability and boost his geospatial skillset upon retirement from the service.  Welcome to the spotlight!  This was a doozy of a lab and you rocked it!!

Weeks 7 & 8 : Data Search Lab

The Data Search Lab brings all of the concepts that students have learned so far into one awesome project.  This lab can be quite stressful but in the end, students leave with a sense of pride that they have conquered the task of building a GIS project from scratch.  Here are the learning outcomes for the exercise.  


Learning Outcomes:

• Review and record metadata for data coming from multiple sources
• Select GIS data that meets the needs of a defined project (scale, attributes, geographic extent, time sensitive, software being used or required format)
• Download data from online sources
• Practice data management of GIS data coming from multiple sources
• Detect and correct data errors for use in a GIS
• Intelligently select a geographic projection to be used in a defined project
• Detect and correct geographic projection issues
• Reproject data from Albers to UTM 
• Utilize select by location and clip tools in ArcGIS to isolate a study area
• View selected records and create a new map layer from selected feature
• Create easy to interpret maps presenting multiple downloaded data layers using ArcGIS

Kelly did an amazing job of displaying and presenting the data for this project. I really like that he took the time to make all of his maps look like they came from the same project and help tell a story. 

Student Spotlight 3/9-3/13; Cartographic Skills

GIS 4043/L Introduction to GIS
Penelope Mitchell, Instructor

Congratulations to Nicole Crull  for being selected as this week's student spotlight!  Check out Nicole's blog here - Nicole's Adventures. Nicole lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and 5 yr old mini dachshund named Otis. Nicole moved to Oregon to get her bachelors at Oregon State University in fisheries and wildlife. Throughout school and after getting my bachelors she worked spring and summers doing wildlife surveys(spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and bats) for various local environmental companies and the National Park Service. In the near future, Nicole hopes to move from seasonal field work to a more permanent desk job with GIS helping to seal the deal!  When not in school or in the field, she is a bird watcher, hiker, baker, gardener, workout partner to her husband, dog lover, and avid knitter. Welcome to the program Nicole and we hope that you enjoy the spotlight.  You describe your self as very detail oriented - we can totally relate to that!  Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Module 7: Choropleth & Proportional Symbol Mapping

In the Choropleth and Proportional Symbol Mapping lab students were tasked with presenting European population data and wine consumption per capita on one map! Students used the choropleth thematic mapping method as well as their choice between proportional or graduated symbol mapping to get the job done. They also called upon their data classification knowledge to best present the data. Students also had the option for bonus points to create and import a picture symbol into ArcMap to use as their proportional or graduated symbol. Utilizing picture symbols is a slippery slope as they can be difficult to interpret if not effectively designed and applied--so the extra step could hurt or help one’s final map grade.


Laboratory Learning Outcomes:

• Utilize choropleth and proportional/graduated symbol thematic mapping techniques
• Choose an appropriate color scheme to best present data
• Implement suitable data classification scheme for 4 datasets
• Create effective thematic picture symbols
• Work with 3 data frames
• Compile map in accordance with cartographic design principles

Nicole did a great job presenting the 4 datasets. She opted to use the quantile data classification method for the population density map, thus giving a clear spread of population data across Europe. Wine consumption was represented using graduated symbology to ensure clear communication of symbol size. Nicole then took the extra time to utilize a thematic picture symbol to represent wine consumption. The choice of the round wine decanter was genius because it mimics the simplicity and clear communication of basic circle symbol, whilst incorporating the wine theme into the mix. Nicole used Corel draw to clean up the picture symbol and remove the white background, she then imported into ArcMap. Lastly, the map layout and design is clean and crisp in this map. Each dataset is presented at a size and scale to allow a clear visual, and maximum utilization of map space. Great work Nicole!

GIS Internships - Let's get to work!

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

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

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

Jose Falconett (click to check out his program blog)

Jose is a currently enrolled in the graduate extended GIS certificate plan.  He is on track to wrap up all courses in the next few semesters.  Jose resides in Ocala, Florida, and has a very diverse background ranging from management in the health care industry to work with the Florida Forest Service.   We are very happy that Jose has chosen GIS Online @ UWF to further his education.  

Internship Background - Jose is currently working with the City of Ocala's Public Works Department.  Types of projects he is working on include, map creation for city stormwater, FEMA analysis, and AutoCad conversions.  It sounds like Jose is a busy intern!  Congratulations on your achievement and keep up the good work!

Looking for an intern or partnership with UWF and GIS Online, please contact Leah Lewis at lewis@uwf.edu to find out how our students can help you!