GIS3015 - Cartographic Skills - Student Spotlight

Instructor: Penelope Bishop Mitchell, TA: Brandon Deusenberry

Module 10: Dot Density Mapping

This week students used ArcMap to generate Dot Density Maps for showing the distribution of populations within an area. While this activity is straightforward, it can be prone to freezing, and students had to troubleshoot and fix the issues themselves, an important skill for working in ArcGIS.

The Student Learning Outcomes were:

• Join spatial and tabular data
• Utilize dot density symbology
• Select suitable dot size and unit value
• Utilize mask function to manipulate dot placement
• Compile map in accordance with typographic guidelines, cartographic design principles, and the Gestalt principles
• Provide an overview of the dot density method
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of the dot density method
• Work with classmates, instructor, and TA via online discussion boards, and scheduled Elluminate sessions to meet common goals.
• Summarize lab activities

AND THE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD WINNER IS: Melissa Thrush!

Melissa's map does an excellent job of conveying the population information, with a nice inset map and separated legend. The addition of data sources and year at the bottom show an in depth understanding of not just the basic map elements, but of all the essential parts. All the map parts are crisp and clear, without being an overwhelming amount of information. Well done Melissa!

We would also like to take a moment to recognize Samuel Song for a professionally designed dot map and well drafted blog posted!  Great job Samuel!