Introduction to GIS/GPS

Mr. Canada World Geography Burris Laboratory School

KEY WORDS
GIS GIS GPS ArcGIS

Data Spatial Data

Accuracy vs. Precision Scale Projection

Online Table of Contents Layer(s) Feature(s)

What is GIS?
Geographic Information System

GIS Explained
In

short: computerized mapping software GIS is a set of software and tools used to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial data. In this class, we will explore capturing and displaying spatial data

Demographics

Environmental / Natural Disasters

Politics

Understanding GIS Data

GIS

represents the real world using three types of geometry :

Points Lines Polygons / Areas

OR

cells

Raster - graphic images

Brainstorm!
What are some other examples of points, lines, and polygons?

What is Spatial Data?

Data that has reference to a location on Earth

Spatial Data Components

Projection: the method by which the curved 3-D surface of the earth is represented by X,Y coordinates on a 2-D flat map/screen

Distortion is inevitable!

Scale: the ratio of distance on a map to the equivalent distance on the ground Accuracy: how well data matches the real world Precision: reproducibility of data

High accuracy, low precision

Low accuracy, high precision

Why GIS is Important

GIS adds space to research dimensions Geographical significance & patterns

Are there any patterns?

Does location make any difference? i.e. Real estate location, location, location.. i.e. Migration patterns? How did the disease spread?

Geographical relationships

Prediction & Information management

Are A and B in this location related? i.e. Crime rate and average housing value
How many people will be affected by flooding?

GPS Exercise
Friday April 11th and Monday April 14th

What is GPS?
Global Positioning System

GPS Receivers

Handheld devices using satellite signals to calculate location Latitude: distance North / South of the Equator

90 degrees = Poles 0 degree = Equator

Longitude: distance East / West of the Prime Meridian

0 degree = Prime Meridian (Greenwich, UK) 180 degrees = International Date Line

How to Read Lat / Long

Degrees,

Minutes, Seconds

0 90 degrees North / South 0 180 degrees East / West 60 Minutes in a degree 60 Seconds in a minute

4352'49'' N, 10327'33'' W

Activity Description
Identify

locations on Ball State campus using Garmin GPS receivers, given only latitude and longitude points

Coordinate points are predetermined! All locations will be south of Riverside Ave

Using Your Garmin

Hot

and Cold Watch your latitude and longitude points shift until you have reached your location

Directions
1. 2.

Turn on your receiver by holding down the power button on the right-hand side (you will hear a beep) Use the Page button to navigate to the screen with Speed Elevation and Location

Location is what you will be using

*The main menu has other features! Navigate using the joystick!

Reminders
We

will be going outside THIS FRIDAY and NEXT MONDAY Dress accordingly for the weather

Jacket if its cold Closed toe shoes

Dates

are subject to change Sign up for receivers!

Mapping Exercise
Thursday April 17th and Friday April 18th

ArcGIS Online
Web-based

mapping program used to create maps, explore data, and share maps online

Contents of a Map

Table of Contents: Area that organizes map data Layer: visual representation of a geographic dataset in any digital map environment Feature: A representation of a real-world object on a map

Place on the map

Attribute Table: A database or tabular file containing information about a set of geographic features

Activity Description

Create a walking tour map of Ball State University in ArcGIS Online using the following criteria:

Tour must begin and end at the Administration Building Major roadways may not be used, sidewalks only! Tour must be between 3 and 8 kilometers in length (hint: use the measure tool) Tour must include 3 of the featured point locations from our field day Map must be emailed to instructors to upload to class website

Accessing ArcGIS Online

BSU

GIS log-on Access to all BSU GIS maps and data

Starting Your Map

Using Tools
Show

table

Under prospective layer

Area, length, location

Measure

Change

symbols

Under prospective layer

Saving Your Work

Take

a screenshot (Print Screen button) Open photo in Microsoft Paint Crop photo Save as Jpeg Attach and email Jpeg to:

burrisgeography@gmail.com