Lesson 9 Lab

Narrating Your Map Idea with StoryMaps

Your final lab assignment in this course is to design an interactive story about a chosen dataset using ArcGIS StoryMaps. While this lab draws heavily on concepts discussed in Lesson 9, you will be incorporating knowledge from throughout the course in your design.

NOTE: Unlike other labs, Lab 9 is a two-week assignment and 20 points. The Lesson 9 deliverables are split into two parts.

In Week One, you should develop an idea and gather data for your lab, and complete the cartographic design process in ArcGIS Online (AGOL). Although, the AGOL maps will not be independently graded but will be included in the Week Two deliverable. 
In Week two, you will incoporate the maps you created in AGOL into a StoryMaps narrative that tells a story about your specific spatially-related idea. 

Lab Objectives

• Use data from a source of your choice to create a geospatial narrative in StoryMaps form.
• Integrate knowledge gained throughout the course to create engaging interactive maps and graphics.
• Examples for reference here (these are much more complex than is required):
  • What's that bug?(link is external)
  • Mushroom Finder(link is external)
  • Have Money, Will Travel(link is external)

Overall Lab Requirements

• Submit the URL link to your StoryMaps as a text comment in Canvas. There is no PDF deliverable for this lab.

Specific Requirements

StoryMaps (Overall)

• Select a topic or idea that you wish to map (e.g., the serious influenza season in the U.S., changing enrollment trends in U.S. schools, trade imbalances in African countries, wildfire occurrences, etc.). Almost any "spatially-related topic" of interest will work for this assignment. You can focus anywhere in the world. However, as a fyi, datasets from the U.S. are more readily available than other locations. 
• Using data from your chosen topic, you will use ArcGIS Online to create three maps. The maps should ideally reflect different datasets related to the topic of choice. These maps should explore different symbolization methods, color choices, data classification methods, and so forth demonstrating the different elements learned throughout the term. Ultimately, the design decisions should reflect the data that you are mapping, what you wish to communicate about the data, and the stated purpose.
• These three maps will be intergrated into a singular StoryMaps that will help tie-together the maps and descriptive text in a unifying theme. 

• Create a StoryMaps which includes:
  • At least three (3) interactive maps designed using ArcGIS Online. These maps should be embedded directly into your StoryMaps and will allow a level of user interactivity.
    • Your 3 main maps should not be Express Maps, although you are welcome to include Express Maps as additional elements (see below).
  • At least two (2) StoryMaps tools/functions (e.g., Swipe/Sideshow/Sidecar/Map Tour/etc.). These could incorporate images related to your narrative or additional maps (e.g. for the “Swipe” option), but the maps will not count towards the primary 3-map requirement.
  • At least 300 words of explanatory text—including a brief introduction—that provides useful and compelling context for your data.
  • Use consistent look and feel throughout the StoryMaps; employ consistent/complementary colors and fonts in your StoryMaps theme that aligns with the designs of your maps.
  • You are encouraged—but not required—to include non-map supporting elements (images, videos, data visualizations, etc.) in addition to the required elements listed here.
• Your overall layout should not use a StoryMaps template – the overall design must be of your own creativity.

Individual Maps (at least 3 in total)

• Incorporate appropriate cartographic concepts and techniques that we have learned over the course of the semester designed using ArcGIS Online.

Lab Instructions

1. Choose a spatially-related topic for Lab 9. There are no restrictions on the geographic area to be mapped. Once a suitable topic is selected and appropriate data is collected, download the required data. 
2. You should reach out to the instructor if you wish to discuss your topic, data appropriateness, and the topic/data suitability for this project before getting too far into the first week.
3. Log in to ArcGIS Online with your PSU email (you should have an active account– if not, contact your instructor).
4. Complete the design of the three (3) maps using ArcGIS Online
5. These pages will walk you through the process of creating a simple map in ArcGIS Online. You should complete this map making process in AGOL before designing a StoryMap. 
   1. Get started with ArcGIS Online(link is external)
   2. Build interactive maps with ArcGIS Online(link is external)
6. Design and build a "story" of your chosen topic using the StoryMaps environment including the three (3) maps you created with AGOL.
7. Your StoryMaps must include descriptive text presenting the overall topic idea. Additionally, there should be descriptive text that discusses each map, its pattern, and how that information adds evidence to your overall topic. 
8. For assistance in creating StoryMaps, explore the Lab 9 Visual Guide and utilize these online tutorials and training materials such as those listed below:
   • Get started with ArcGIS StoryMaps(link is external)
   • ArcGIS StoryMaps, Storytelling that resonates(link is external)
   • Various StoryMaps resources(link is external)

Grading Criteria

• A rubric is posted for your review.

Ready to Begin?

Further instructions are available in Lesson 9 Lab Visual Guide.