Digital Mapping

Geographic Information Systems and GIScience

2010-04-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Definitions

What is GIScience?
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u002/u002.html

What is GIS?
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/u01.html
_____

Examples

Mapping Medieval Chester
http://www.medievalchester.ac.uk/index.html

Mapping Dubois
Mapping Du Bois - The Philadelphia Negro

Discovering Lewis and Clark
http://lewis-clark.org/

NIS Mural Base - Cartographic Modeling Lab
http://cml.upenn.edu/murals/mbQueryRequest.asp

Indiana Coal Mine Maps
http://coalminemaps.indiana.edu/

Antarctica GIS
http://ims.geog.canterbury.ac.nz/anta/basic/viewer.htm

CARPE Congo Basin Mapper
http://carpe.umd.edu/

Cartograms Take 2!

2010-04-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Defining Cartograms

Cartogram Central
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/projects/Cartogram_Central/index.html

TYPES:

NON-CONTIGUOUS CARTOGRAMS - geographic objects do not have to maintain connectivity with their adjacent objects

CONTIGUOUS CARTOGRAMS - true- topology is maintained (the objects remain connected with each other) but this causes great distortion in shape

DORLING CARTOGARMS - maintains neither shape, topology nor object centroids

Examples of Cartograms

World Population
http://www.worldmapper.org/countrycartograms/#

More about it - Health Geographics - http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/6/1/48

Election Maps
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2008/

http://declanbutler.info/blog/?p=141

http://cjcs.com/tib/1374/track-election-night-2008-with-this-electoral-cartogram/

Dynamic Cartogram Visualization of Presidential Election
http://mapcontext.com/autocarto/web/documents/AutoCarto2008/Brachman.pdf

Read More About IT (link through at Temple Libraries)

35 Years of Cartograms

___________

Types of Thematic Maps Discussed in Class

Dot Density Maps

Concentric Circle Maps

Choropleth Maps

Interactive Maps, Spatial Data Inventory, Google Maps

2010-04-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Interactive Map Links

Homicides in NY City

http://projects.nytimes.com/crime/homicides/map

Geography of the Recession

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html

Food Stamp Usage

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/28/us/20091128-foodstamps.html

Gasoline Prices

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/06/09/business/20080609_GAS_GRAPHIC.html?#tab2

NY Times Immigration Explorer

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/10/us/20090310-immigration-explorer.html?exampleSessionId=1236781830615&exampleUserLabel=nytimes

Where workers come from

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/07/us/20090407-immigration-occupation.html

Parking tickets in NY

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/26/nyregion/20081128_PARKING.html
______________

Spatial Data Inventory

This week's lab exercise will provide students with a hands-on experience conducting an inventory of a thematic feature on or near Temple University's Main Campus. There is a long tradition of field work to gather spatial information that includes surveying, identifying features, and describing the attributes of features found in the landscape.

We will review the use of Google applications, including documents and maps, to depict the locations of features that you identify through your survey. We will also discuss examples of inventories that can serve as a model for your survey exercise.

Here are some links to thematic maps that may be of interest related to the themes we discuss in class.

National Trust for Historic Preservation - Map tool for locating registered historic structures.

http://www.preservationnation.org/map/

Sadie's Trashcan Map of Fairmount

The Trashcan Map

_______________

Creating Google Maps

You will be creating maps using Google Maps from the survey data set you are creating. Here are resources for learning more about how to make Google Maps.

Google Maps Mania is a resource that shows how users are creating maps, adding new applications, and integrating Google Maps with other social media tools. Here are a few posts from the site that illustrate the types of mash-ups, or map creations, you can make with Google Maps.

Google Map Making Tips

DIY Cartography's post on creating custom map symbols may be of use in creating your map.

http://makingmaps.net/2007/10/18/custom-map-symbols-in-google-maps/

Google instructions for how to create them are here.

Google instructions for how to convert spreadsheets into maps here.

Google map tutorials here.

Google maps Youtube instructions here.

Maps and Data Spring 2010

2010-03-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

ColorBrewer2.0

Designing maps involves making decisions about how to visualize spatial information in ways that are readable to an intended audience or user, accessible to intended populations, and fair representations of the data drawing on a disclosed method of classification, interpretation or generalization. Today we will review some basic tenants of map design including conventions of representing different features, determining color schemes, and map layout and graphic quality.

It is also important to understand how maps themselves can form parts of series of maps, or archives. In some cases, maps are visualizations of archives. Metadata is data about data. Metadata can pertain to the characteristics of a map itself (if it is an archive) or to the data set drawn from in creating the map. Examples of metadata characteristics for the map include: date it was created, author or institution that created the map, projection used. Metadata related to the visualized information on the map could include: date and source of the data set, database schema, and database storage.

We are going to examine a number of data considerations related to maps: a) data and design, b) map metadata, and c) data source metadata.

Useful resource links are below:

Metadata

USGS Discussion pertaining to maps
http://geology.usgs.gov/tools/metadata/tools/doc/faq.html

PASDA Discussion for data sets in PA
http://www.pasda.psu.edu/help/faqmetadata.asp
Creating Metadata Tutorial
Online Mapping

Map Design

ESRI's elements of map design
http://blogs.esri.com/Support/blogs/mappingcenter/pages/learn-about-the-categories.aspx

Cynthia Brewer's Colorbrewer
http://colorbrewer2.org/

John Krygier on design-data-visualization:
http://makingmaps.net/2008/02/05/more-principles-of-map-design/
http://makingmaps.net/2007/08/28/perceptual-scaling-of-map-symbols
http://makingmaps.net/2009/06/12/cartominutiae-combined-symbols-on-maps/
http://makingmaps.net/2007/08/16/how-useful-is-tufte-for-making-maps/

Cartographic Data Modeling Laboratory - University of Pennsylvania
http://cml.upenn.edu/
Mural Data Base

PASDA - Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (Part of National Spatial Data Infrastructure )
http://128.118.47.58/default.asp

0 comments:

Google Maps and MashUps

2010-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

This week, you will begin a three lab sequence that involves learning how to locate landmarks, places, and features using a coordinate system; learning how to assess the accuracy or "ground truth of those features and places; and learning how to create maps using Google Maps from a survey data set that you will create.

Today we will review some map resources that can serve as a guide for the final maps you create during the course of the lab sequence.

Google Maps Mania is a resource that shows how users are creating maps, adding new applications, and integrating Google Maps with other social media tools. Here are a few posts from the site that illustrate the types of mash-ups, or map creations, you can make with Google Maps.

World Health Organization Global Disease Alert Map
Hollaback DC's User identified Harassment Map
Ö-Files Earth Quake Mash up Map
EditGrid's map of Demolitions in New Orleans by zipcode

Google Map Making Tips

DIY Cartography's post on creating custom map symbols may be of use in creating your map.

http://makingmaps.net/2007/10/18/custom-map-symbols-in-google-maps/

Google instructions for how to create them are here.

Google instructions for how to convert spreadsheets into maps here.

Google map tutorials here.

Google maps Youtube instructions here.

Atlases as References Map Systems

2010-02-22T09:20:00.001-08:00

An Atlas can be defined as a collection of maps of places, regions or countries, traditionally bound together in book form. Today, atlases can also be digital and available online. Here are some online atlases showing regions and countries of North America, including Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico.

Canadian National Atlas

National Geographic Map Machine

National Geographic Geopolitical Atlas

National Atlas of Mexico

Digital Spaces of Mexico

Atlases often depict thematic information, using place, region or world reference systems as base maps for displaying data pertaining to places. Here are some examples of thematic atlas projects online.

World Health Organization Global Health Atlas

Historic Atlas of New Mexico

Types of Maps and Map Terms

2010-02-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Part 1: Useful tools

Glossary of Cartographic Terms - UTexas Library
GIS Glossary - CSISS GIS Cookbook
GIS Glossary - GIS Lounge
Abbreviations for GIS, Cartography and Remote Sensing - UC Berkeley Library

Part 2: Reference and Thematic Maps

Reference maps, also known as general maps, help us navigate by showing the locations of features in areas, regions, places, and buildings. Features often include roads, locations of specific structures, bodies of water, landscape features, and infrastructure. Commonly used reference maps include topographic maps, street maps, and maps of buildings.

Planimetric - Line map, showing horizontal position of mapped features
Topographic - Overview from USGS
Nautical charts - Click here for NOAA's online Chart Viewer
Census Boundary Maps
County Boundaries - Click here for atlas of historic boundaries

Thematic maps represent specific kinds of information. Examples of common thematic maps include population maps, weather maps, habitat maps, political maps, and land use maps.

3. Wayfinding - using and creating reference maps

4. All of a kind - using and creating thematic maps

Part 3. Topographic maps

Topographic maps is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of elevation. Elevation is depicted using contour lines that connect equal levels of elevation according to a ratio of actual to illustrated elevation. Topographic maps depict both physical and human features in a given area. Many countries, including the U.S. have developed a series of maps that represent area at consistent scales for the entire land coverage of their country boundaries.

Click here to see scales of coverage used by the USGS in it's topographic maps series of the United States.

For more information about topographic maps see:

http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/index.htm

Investigate these categories on the website:

What is a Map?
Using Topographic Maps
Map Scales
Reference Datum
Map Projections
Distortions
Grid Systems
Geographic Coordinate System
Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System
State Plane Coordinate System
Public Land Survey

Part 4: The National Atlas of the U.S.

The National Atlas allows Internet users to examine combined reference maps series for the entire U.S. through layering data, reference information, and features for specified locations.

Here is a link to the viewer: http://nmviewogc.cr.usgs.gov/viewer.htm

The National Map viewer allows users to see elevation, hydrology, and vegetation along with cultural features on the landscape including political, jurisdictional and monitoring locations and boundaries; transportation; and structures.

The National Atlas includes topographic layers for the 1:250,000 scale; but the 7 1/2 minute series (what are commonly referred to as quadrangle maps) are not available using the National Atlas.

The National Atlas allows the user to pinpoint latitude and longitude with great precision using a mouse. This means that one can examine the features shown on the atlas at a specific setting. For instance, if you want to know what both the physical and cultural characteristics of Boulder Dam are, you can use the National Atlas to examine features at or around the facility. (36.07 lat, -114.735 long)

Part 5: Resource Links

Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization
This resource provides a comprehensive view of the history of cartography, with examples of maps created throughout the ages and background information about the contexts within which those maps, visualizations and map making technologies were created. Explore each time period, click on the images and stories found throughout each time line, and read more about the history of creating thematic maps as a means of visualizing data.

Timeline Index of Cartography
This timeline provides a summary of the key innovations in cartography that occurred through the ages. Follow the timeline to chart the history of map making and uses.

The Newberry Library's Consise Bibliography of the History of Cartography
The Newberry Library is an independent library located in Chicago known for its extensive collections in cartography as well as other historic archives. The bibliography is a set of resources that is used by cartographers, geographers, and other scholars to conduct scholarly research on the history of cartography.

Terms

Location
Environment
Space
Place
Area
Region
Geographic Information, Spatial Information
Attribute or characteristic data

Making Maps in Historical Perspective

2010-02-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Historical Beginnings

As course material shifts from cognitive mapping into formal, professional cartography, it is important to recognize the significant role which the former played in the historical development of the latter. As was discussed in class, sea-faring explorers had no geographic benchmark from which to begin their drawings of the "New World." This resulted in the creation of maps based upon their perception (as from boats and coastal surveys) of the land which they were intending to explore and eventually conquer. Influencing their depictions were not only the technological limitations of the time but also their political motivations and imperial ambitions.

Exemplary of this is the 1591 map of the Spanish Caribbean which was discussed in class; note the size of Cuba relative to Florida, the minimization of non-Spanish lands, and the lack of detail present on the land. Of course as time progressed, map-making became more professionalized with measures taken to account for scale and perspective (as evidenced by this 1747 map of the Northern Hemisphere). This ultimately led to the development of different types of projections for various purposes.

Map Projections

In this week's lecture we discussed projections, which are ways to represent 3 dimensional space on a flat surface such as a piece of paper or a computer screen. Here is a link to an animation that shows how Planar, Conic, and Cylindrical projections are made.

Cylindrical projections wrap around the globe touching one parallel such as the equator. In 1569, Mercator invented this projection to help ships navigate the oceans for exploration, conquest, colonialism. Since ships needed to be able to plot a straight line across an ocean and arrive where they wanted to be, figuring the direction of travel between two locations such as a port in Spain and a port in Cuba is prioritized. By plotting the angle between the two points, the ship could arrive at its location. The limitations to Cylindrical projections are: distortion of size and shape of large land masses, moreso when moving away from the equator.

Conic projections such as the Albers Equal Area from 1805 utilize a cone that touches two parallels on the globe. This distorts scale and distance but area is proportional.

Planar projections have a flat plane touching one point only. Distances measure true with this projection but distortion increases away from the center point. This projection is useful for airplane navigation.

Modern Advances

Remote sensing began with aerial photography in the early to mid 20th century, of which NASA has a brief overview. Initially, photos were taken from planes but have since progressed to satellite imaging, which uses more than just the visible spectrum to gather spatial data from afar.

Below, you will find a false-color image of the San Francisco Bay Area as taken from a plane. The false-color process shifts the visible spectrum enough to make vegetation that humans see as shades of green into shades of red; as a result, bodies of water become almost black. This is useful for studying vegetation patterns as they change over time, for instance in areas that have seen massive loss of vegetation, such as the rainforests of Bolivia.

Finally, as a way to stimulate discussion around the various ways people move through space, whether it is from home to school or work, to socialize with friends, or just to play in the city, we began and ended lecture with two videos that highlighted non-traditional ways to move through urban space. Even though cities have evolved over the last few hundred years primarily as places of commerce and industry, there are may other ways to utilize urban space. The first video, My Playground, followed a handful of parkour artists-acrobats; the second video showed Danny MacAskill, a trials-cyclist who rides and jumps around Edinburgh, Scotland in ways completely unintended by the architects and planners of the city.

Other Links

U.S. Government's National Atlas

This utility provides visualizations of demographic data for the United States.

Deforestation in Bolivia

This image from the Satellite Imaging Corporation depicts vegetation change from 1975 to 2000; note the color range that is used. What changes do you note and what do you think is causing them?

SEOS Project

Explore this utility from the European Commission to see the different ways in which remote sensing can be used.

David Emery
Alan Wiig
Temple University

Visualizing Daily Activities - Spring 2010

2010-02-01T09:12:00.001-08:00

What do you think?

Would you let your 9 year old ride the subway alone in NYC?

View the report here.

See the subway map here.

Is it risky? Let's examine Philadelphia's 2006 Vital Statistics.

Visualizing Daily Activities

Maps can be useful tools for representing the ways in which people use, navigate, shape, and negotiate the spaces and places of daily life. Such maps, sometimes called visualizations, can reflect the locations that are most frequently visited, the spaces that have important individual and shared meanings, settings where events are held and pathways for daily commutes.

A number of different strategies can be used to illustrate the specific spaces and places that are most significant for a typical day. Graduated symbols can show the frequency with which a place is visited. The color of a line can show the time of day for a specific journey. The thickness of a boundary can show the relative importance of a setting of great importance.

When you create your maps of your daily activities, think about all of the strategies you can use to illustrate how time shapes your movements throughout the day, how different activity spaces can be represented, and how frequency of accessing specific spaces, pathways and settings can be illustrated.

Here are two examples of activity maps that you may find of interest as you create your own example.

Field Methods Manual - Diagnostic Tools for Supporting Joint Forest Management Systems (Poffenberger et al. 1992).

Click to view Community Forestry Activity Map

Nature Inquiries Blog - Deer in their Habitats

Click to view Deer Activity Map

Introducing Maps

2010-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Introducing Maps and Map Interpretation
Digital Mapping
Spring 2010

Outline

a) What is a Map?

b) How do we communicate, visualize and interpret information using maps?
c) What is meant by community? Landmarks? Sensory clues to the landscape? Cognitive map?

Definitions

a) map

http://libraries.uta.edu/ccon/whatis.shtm
http://cms.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=4478
http://gislounge.com/whats-in-a-map/

b) cognitive map

A cognitive map can be defined as a depiction of perceived information about spatial realities and depict spatial thinking.

More information on cognitive maps:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_map

c) landmark

A landmark is a feature that stands out in a place. Landmarks give identity to a place and serve as a way to find it. Examples of landmarks include a church, a park, a large billboard, a major intersection, or a vacant lot.

Wikipedia definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark

d) visualization

Visualization is a means by which data are presented to improve and simplify understandings of outcomes, relationships, patterns, processes, and features. Geovisualization refers to the use of visualization techniques to represent spatial information.

e) community

Community refers to a group of people who live in an area and who share similar characteristics. Community also refers to the area where a group of people live.

Map examples discussed in class:

Zappos Shoe Map http://zappos.com/map
Placespoting: http://www.placespotting.com/

Read More about it

a) Cognitive Maps and Database Urbanisms (Chen and Lee): http://www.vagueterrain.net/journal13/crisis-fronts/01

b) A fuzzy cognitive map approach for analysis of electronic consumer products in terms of usability among different age groups (Usel et al.): http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=record&rec_id=26316

GIS Project Spaces

2009-11-30T03:33:00.000-08:00

What is GIScience?
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u002/u002.html

What is GIS?
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/u01.html
_____

Mapping Medieval Chester
http://www.medievalchester.ac.uk/index.html

Mapping Dubois
Mapping Du Bois - The Philadelphia Negro

Discovering Lewis and Clark
http://lewis-clark.org/

NIS Mural Base - Cartographic Modeling Lab
http://cml.upenn.edu/murals/mbQueryRequest.asp

Indiana Coal Mine Maps
http://coalminemaps.indiana.edu/

Antarctica GIS
http://ims.geog.canterbury.ac.nz/anta/basic/viewer.htm

CARPE Congo Basin Mapper
http://carpe.umd.edu/

Cartograms!

2009-11-23T05:25:00.000-08:00

Creating Choropleth Maps

2009-11-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

Choropleth Map Links

Geography of the Recession

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html

Gasoline Prices

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/06/09/business/20080609_GAS_GRAPHIC.html?#tab2

NY Times Immigration Explorer

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/10/us/20090310-immigration-explorer.html?exampleSessionId=1236781830615&exampleUserLabel=nytimes

Parking tickets in NY

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/26/nyregion/20081128_PARKING.html

Overview of Lab Exercise Tools

Census Thematic Mapper

Data Classifications Explained

Mid Semester Assessment and Feedback

2009-11-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share some feedback about your experiences in Digital Mapping during the Fall 2009 semester. Please complete the survey below. We will do our best to apply your feedback to our future course planning this semester and in the future.

Michele Masucci, Course Instructor

The survey is now closed. Thanks for your participation. mm 11-15-09

Mapping Cyberinfrastructure

2009-11-09T05:55:00.001-08:00

Resource Links - Mapping Cyberinfrastructure

-NPR story about One Wilshire, the West Coast's most important carrier hotel:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7452738

-Pictures of One Wilshire from the Center for Land Use Interpretation
http://www.clui.org/clui_4_1/ondisplay/OneWilshire/index.html

-2009 Map of submarine fiber optic cables:
http://www.telegeography.com/products/map_cable/downloads/CableMap09_1600x1200.jpg

-Data Center Map:
http://www.datacentermap.com/

-Locations of (some of) Google's data centers:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/11/where-are-all-the-google-data-centers/

-Pictures of Google's data center in The Dalles, Oregon:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rooftop65/402773976/in/set-72157600558500529/

-Google Image search for google data centers:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=google+data+center&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

-401 North Broad St., Terminal Commerce Building, a carrier hotel:
http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/center_city/terminal_commerce.html
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/1997/09/15/story6.html

-Visualizing invisible technolgies:
http://www.nearfield.org/2009/10/immaterials-the-ghost-in-the-field
http://www.nearfield.org/2009/03/wireless-in-the-world

-Hertzian Space:
http://www.andinc.org/v3/hertzianrain

Maps and Data

2009-11-02T04:36:00.000-08:00

ColorBrewer2.0

We are going to examine a number of data considerations related to maps: a) data and design, b) map metadata, and c) data source metadata.

Exam Study Tips

2009-10-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Overview

Our mid-semester exam is scheduled for next Monday, October 26. The exam will cover all materials presented during lectures and lab sessions, lab exercises, readings and content from links embedded within blog posts. The exam will include questions in multiple choice, true and false and short answer formats. Your lab session this week will provide a review of materials covered throughout the semester through this week. Prepare by mastering definitions of key concepts, being able to apply concepts to examples, understanding the basics of interpreting maps and spatial information, being able to create maps, preparing to describe maps discussed in class, presented in labs, created through exercises and found throughout the reading assignments. In addition, you should be thoroughly familiar with different types of maps and map-making traditions.

Sample questions

True or False: Two types of map projections used to represent the earth include are conical and cylindrical. The difference between them is that cylindrical map projections depict the north pole where as conical maps depict the equator.

True or False: In order to represent the surface of the earth on a flat piece of paper, a map area is projected onto the paper; this is what is referred to as projection.

True or False: Map projections distort areas being represented.

True or False: The Zappos shoe map is an example of a thematic map.

True or False: According to Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, the earliest known map was created in the year 100 a.d.

True or False: The first world map, created by Anaximander of Melitus, is a world map depicting the ocean in the center of the map.

True or False: A choropleth map can be defined as a Thematic map in which areas are colored, shaded, dotted, or hatched to create darker or lighter areas in proportion to the density of distribution of the theme subject.

True or False: A neat line is the line the separates the scale from the latitudes and longitudes.

Multiple Choice: John Snow is important for cartography because: a) he created a map of cholera outbreaks in London, b) his work is foundational to the field of epidemiology, c) his map did not accurately represent street locations in London, d) all of the above, e) a and b only, f) none of the above

Multiple Choice: Which of the following are uses of maps? (a) the appraisal, conservation, and development of natural resources; (b) in analyzing and forecasting weather conditions; (c) in regional planning and in property survey; (d) the demarcation of boundaries; (e) all of the above; (f) a and c only.

Multiple Choice: Which of the following are examples of reference maps? (a) tha national atlas of the US, (b) the National Atlas of Canada, (c) the National Atlas of Mexico, (d) all of the above, (e) a and b only.

Multiple Choice: Which of the following represent groups who create maps? (a) governments, (b) health organizations, (c) academic institutions, (d) all of the above, (e) a and b only.

Short answer:

What is meant by the concept of relative location? Provide an example that illustrates the concept.

What is meant by the concept of scale? Describe two methods for representing scale.

What is a landmark? Select an example and explain why it is considered significant.

What is a cognitive map? Create a cognitive map of the state of PA.

What is a topographic map? Identify and describe two ways they are used.

A Tour of Google Maps

2009-10-12T06:08:00.001-07:00

This week, you will be creating maps using Google Maps from the survey data set you created last week. Today we will examine some examples of Google Maps that you can draw from in creating your own map.

Google Maps Mania is a resource that shows how users are creating maps, adding new applications, and integrating Google Maps with other social media tools. Here are a few posts from the site that illustrate the types of mash-ups, or map creations, you can make with Google Maps.

World Health Organization Global Disease Alert Map
Hollaback DC's User identified Harassment Map
Ö-Files Earth Quake Mash up Map
EditGrid's map of Demolitions in New Orleans by zipcode

Conducting an Inventory of Spatial Features

2009-10-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

This week's lab exercise will provide students with a hands-on experience conducting an inventory of a thematic feature on or near Temple University's Main Campus. There is a long tradition of field work to gather spatial information that includes surveying, identifying features, and describing the attributes of features found in the landscape.

We will review the use of Google applications, including documents and maps, to depict the locations of features that you identify through your survey. We will also discuss examples of inventories that can serve as a model for your survey exercise.

Here are some links to thematic maps that may be of interest related to the themes we discuss in class.

National Trust for Historic Preservation - Map tool for locating registered historic structures.

http://www.preservationnation.org/map/

Tech Boston's map of Dead Trees in Boston

http://blog.techboston.com/index.php/uncategorized/dead-trees-in-boston/

Sadie's Trashcan Map of Fairmount

The Trashcan Map

A Few More Atlases

2009-09-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

Canadian National Atlas

National Geographic Map Machine

National Geographic Geopolitical Atlas

National Atlas of Mexico

Digital Spaces of Mexico

World Health Organization Global Health Atlas

Historic Atlas of New Mexico

Week 3: Using Reference Maps as a Thematic Base Map

2009-09-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

Click to see the National Atlas Viewer

During last week's lecture, two types of maps were introduced: reference maps and thematic maps. This week we will connect those two types of maps together, using a reference map such as a topographic map as a base map for examining themes of different kinds. Lab exercises will explore the National Atlas online as a source to create thematic maps for the same area using a topographic base map to delimit the boundaries of the map. Different themes can be created using the same base topographic map. The themes can be examined together or as separate layers.

Part 1. Topographic maps

The National Atlas allows Internet users to examine combined reference maps series for the entire U.S. through layering data, reference information, and features for specified locations.

Here is a link to the viewer: http://nmviewogc.cr.usgs.gov/viewer.htm

The National Map viewer allows users to see elevation, hydrology, and vegetation along with cultural features on the landscape including political, jurisdictional and monitoring locations and boundaries; transportation; and structures.

The National Atlas includes topographic layers for the 1:250,000 scale; but the 7 1/2 minute series (what are commonly referred to as quadrangle maps) are not available using the National Atlas.

The National Atlas allows the user to pinpoint latitude and longitude with great precision using a mouse. This means that one can examine the features shown on the atlas at a specific setting. For instance, if you want to know what both the physical and cultural characteristics of Boulder Dam are, you can use the National Atlas to examine features at or around the facility. (36.07 lat, -114.735 long)

Part 3: Resource Links

Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization

This resource provides a comprehensive view of the history of cartography, with examples of maps created throughout the ages and background information about the contexts within which those maps, visualizations and map making technologies were created. Explore each time period, click on the images and stories found throughout each time line, and read more about the history of creating thematic maps as a means of visualizing data.

Timeline Index of Cartography

This timeline provides a summary of the key innovations in cartography that occurred through the ages. Follow the timeline to chart the history of map making and uses.

The Newberry Library's Consise Bibliography of the History of Cartography

The Newberry Library is an independent library located in Chicago known for its extensive collections in cartography as well as other historic archives. The bibliography is a set of resources that is used by cartographers, geographers, and other scholars to conduct scholarly research on the history of cartography.

Lecture 2: Types of Maps

2009-09-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

Digital Mapping 9-14-09 Lecture Outline

Part 1: Useful tools

Glossary of Cartographic Terms - UTexas Library
GIS Glossary - CSISS GIS Cookbook
GIS Glossary - GIS Lounge
Abbreviations for GIS, Cartography and Remote Sensing - UC Berkeley Library

Part 2: Reference and Thematic Maps

Reference maps, also known as general maps, help us navigate by showing the locations of features in areas, regions, places, and buildings. Features often include roads, locations of specific structures, bodies of water, landscape features, and infrastructure. Commonly used reference maps include topographic maps, street maps, and maps of buildings.

Planimetric - Line map, showing horizontal position of mapped features
Topographic - Overview from USGS
Nautical charts - Click here for NOAA's online Chart Viewer
Census Boundary Maps
County Boundaries - Click here for atlas of historic boundaries

Thematic maps represent specific kinds of information. Examples of common thematic maps include population maps, weather maps, habitat maps, political maps, and land use maps.

3. Wayfinding - using and creating reference maps

4. All of a kind - using and creating thematic maps

Visualizing Daily Activities

2009-09-09T04:34:00.000-07:00

Here are two examples of activity maps that you may find of interest as you create your own example.

Field Methods Manual - Diagnostic Tools for Supporting Joint Forest Management Systems (Poffenberger et al. 1992).

Click to view Community Forestry Activity Map

Nature Inquiries Blog - Deer in their Habitats

Click to view Deer Activity Map

Wired Reviews Water Pump Shutdown - London, 1854

2009-09-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

One of cartography's most famous case studies relates to cholera outbreaks in London between 1849 and 1854. Wired Magazine's This Day in Technology features a review of the case and presents the map drawn by Snow showing how the disease diffused through time and space via contaminated water pump handles in 1849. The use of a simple visualization technique of showing clusters of outbreaks at pump locations illustrated to public health officials the role that social interactions played in spreading the outbreak. When the a new outbreak occurred a few years later, officials were able to interrupt the spread of the disease. Snow is credited with launching the field of epidemiology. His work also stands as a case for the importance of cartography and visualization in causality and association related to time-space relationships.

Read more about it here:

Wired Technology Today

http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/09/0908london-cholera-pump/

CSISS Notes on the Case

http://www.csiss.org/classics/content/8

John Snow Bio Notes - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Snow_(physician)#Cholera

Snow's Cholera Outbreak Map

http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/snowmap1_1854_lge.htm

Implications - Google Flu explained by Seed Magazine

http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/predicting_outbreaks/

Google Flu

http://www.google.org/flutrends/

Interpreting Maps - Introduction

2009-08-31T03:22:00.000-07:00

Digital Mapping 8-31-09
Lecture Outline

1. Course Overview and Syllabus

2. Introduction to course, Part 1 - Interpreting Maps

3. Inquiry questions:

a) What is a Map?

b) How do we communicate, visualize and interpret information using maps?
c) What is meant by community? Landmarks? Sensory clues to the landscape? Cognitive map?

4. Definitions:

a) map

http://libraries.uta.edu/ccon/whatis.shtm
http://cms.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=4478
http://gislounge.com/whats-in-a-map/

b) cognitive map

A cognitive map can be defined as a depiction of perceived information about spatial realities and depict spatial thinking.

More information on cognitive maps:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_map

c) landmark

A landmark is a feature that stands out in a place. Landmarks give identity to a place and serve as a way to find it. Examples of landmarks include a church, a park, a large billboard, a major intersection, or a vacant lot.

Wikipedia definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark

d) visualization

Visualization is a means by which data are presented to improve and simplify understandings of outcomes, relationships, patterns, processes, and features. Geovisualization refers to the use of visualization techniques to represent spatial information.

e) community

Community refers to a group of people who live in an area and who share similar characteristics. Community also refers to the area where a group of people live.

5. Map examples discussed in class:

Zappos Shoe Map http://zappos.com/map
Placespoting: http://www.placespotting.com/

6. Read More about it

a) Cognitive Maps and Database Urbanisms (Chen and Lee): http://www.vagueterrain.net/journal13/crisis-fronts/01

b) A fuzzy cognitive map approach for analysis of electronic consumer products in terms of usability among different age groups (Usel et al.): http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=record&rec_id=26316

Course Syllabus

2009-08-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Syllabus

GUS 0821
Digital Mapping
Fall 2009

General Information

Lecture Meeting Time and Location

Gladfelter Hall, Lecture Room 107
Monday: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Lab Meeting Times and Locations

Section 001
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Anderson Hall 22

Section 002
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Weiss Hall 640

Section 003
Friday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Weiss Hall 640

Section 004
Monday, 12:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Anderson Hall 19

Instructor

Michele Masucci, Associate Professor - Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 111 University Services Building
Phone: 215-204-1429
Email: masucci@temple.edu
Office Hours: Monday 12:00 - 1:00 PM, or by appointment

Graduate Teaching Assistants

David Emery, Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 330 Gladfelter Hall
Email: david.emery@temple.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 12:15 - 2:15 PM or by appointment

Alan Wiig, Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 330 Gladfelter Hall
Email: alanwiig@temple.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:15 - 2:15 PM or by appointment

Undergraduate Bulletin Course Description

"From web-based applications like Google Maps, to automobile navigation systems, to satellite pictures of hurricanes, digital maps are widely used to display information about the Earth. This course unmasks the underlying technologies used for computer-based mapping, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We will investigate how computers store and analyze digital maps, and see how mapping technologies can be used to address a variety of societal problems, such as analyzing the environmental impacts of urban growth, tracking the spread of a deadly disease, and planning for earthquakes and other natural disasters."

General Education

This course fulfills General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement or core QA or QB requirement.

Prerequisites: Mathematics placement, a grade of C- or higher in Math 0701 (0045), or transfer credit for Math 0701 (0045).

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes

The purpose of this course is to teach the general principles of quantitative reasoning and spatial literacy through digital mapping.

Students will learn how to: interpret maps, examine the relationship between data and map visualizations, and differentiate between different types of maps. Students will gain an understanding of the digital technologies drawn upon to make maps. Students will be introduced to the field of cartography, as well as to gain an understanding of the basic principals of map design and communication.

Students will gain hands on experiences in making maps using web map applications. These experiences aim to introduce basic knowledge of how to represent and interpret quantitative information in map form.

Attendance

Lecture and Lab attendance will be recorded via seating chart sign in. FINAL GRADES will be lowered due to excessive absences (see grading scale below). Students are responsible for all material covered in lecture and labs. There will be no make up exams offered unless an approved university excuse authorized by the Dean of your college is provided.

Cell Phone Use

The use of cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic devises is prohibited during lectures, exams, and lab sessions.

Text

There is no textbook for the course. Readings will be available via accessing the course blog.

Electronic Communication and Course Blog Access

Course Blog

All readings and course information will be found on the course blog. It will be updated throughout the semester. Students can access the blog from computers found on campus or from off campus locations.

Course Blog URL: http://digitalmappingblog.blogspot.com

Email Use

Student email communications with instructors related to the course need to be signed by the student and include the course title in the subject heading. Please be advised that messages sent to TA or faculty may be shared by the course instructional team.

Internet Access

If you do not have adequate access to the Internet at home to support the heavy use of the Internet required in this course, please arrange your schedule to use university facilities such as the Tech Center. In addition to the Tech Center, there are a number of high-speed accessible labs located on campus. Please consult the Computer Services website for more information:

http://www.temple.edu/cs/students/index.htm

Grading

Final Grades will be determined based on the following:

Lab Assignments - 50% of Final Grade.

There will be an lab assignment to complete each week during the Lab time. Lab assignments will be due at the end of the lab session except as otherwise noted. The average of all lab assignment grades will be worth half of your final grade. The lowest grade will be dropped from the average. Lab assignments can be made up but the maximum grade that can be earned for a late lab assignment is a C.

Exams - 50% of Final Grade.

There will be a mid term and final exam in this course. Exams will cover content introduced in lectures and lab exercises and readings found online via the course blog. The exams cover the topics for each half of the course. Make-up exams are NOT permitted except with a Dean's Office approved excuse. Failure to take the mid-term or final exam will result in an F for the semester.

Grading Scale:

Final grading scale:

3.7 - 4.0 = A
3.5 - 3.69 = A-
3.4 - 3.49 = B+
2.7 - 3.39 = B
2.5 - 2.69 = B-
2.4 - 2.49 = C+
1.7 - 2.39 = C
1.5 - 1.69 = C-
.7 - 1.49 = D
.69 or less = F

Note the following:

3rd absence = 1/2 letter grade drop (B lowered to B-)
4rth absence = 1 letter grade drop (B lowered to C)
5th absence = 2 letter grade drop (B lowered to D)
6th absence = F in course
Missed Mid term or Final exam = F in course
Late lab assignments: Maximum grade of C
The lowest lab assignment grade can be dropped

Mid Term Exam Date: Monday, 10-26-09

Final Exam Date: Friday, 12-18-09, 8-10 AM, GH 107

Disabilities

This course is open to all students who met the academic requirements for participation. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating on tests, copying another student's assignments, plagiarism, etc.) will not be tolerated. Please refer to this statement for more information on Temple University's Academic Honesty policy:

http://www.temple.edu/pharmacy_qara/plagiarism.htm.

Statement on Academic Freedom

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02 . (Please use this text without modification.)

Classroom Environment

All persons participating in the course should be respectful of other students and the instructor in order to facilitate a civil learning environment. All persons participating in the course have a right to expect respectful treatment in the classroom.

Structure of the Course

Lecture

The class will meet as a whole once a week for a lecture session. The lecture will be divided into three parts: examination and discussion of maps of the week, introduction of key terms and concepts, and application of concepts for lab exercises. There will be time for questions and answers each week at the end of the class.

Students are encouraged to take careful notes based on lectures. These should include noting maps referenced in class, information about data related to maps discussed in class, key concepts and definitions introduced during lectures, and core concepts related to maps, map making, geography, data, map interpretation, and map making technologies.

Lab

Students are enrolled in labs as part of this course. The lab exercises and assessments are aimed at reinforcing core concepts, themes, and skills introduced through the lectures and readings. Students will engage in hands on experiences that involve analysis of web-maps, use of web-tools to learn concepts related to digital mapping, and tools for organizing and visualizing spatial information. Students will also complete computer based assessments, lab reports, and web maps during their lab sections. Labs will be implemented by the graduate research assistants involved in the instruction of this course.

Each lab will begin with a brief explanation of the lab assignment by the TA, including an overview of the learning objectives, materials, and expected deliverables. The remaining portion of the lab will devoted to completing the lab assignment. The TA will rotate around the classroom helping those students who require assistance. Some labs will require students to work outside of lab period to complete the assignment.

Schedule of Course Topics and Exercises

Part 1 - Interpreting Maps

8-31-09

Course Introduction and Overview
What is a map? How do we communicate, visualize and interpret information using maps?

Lab: Baseline assessment of map skills
Exercise 1: Mapping Daily Rounds

9-7-09 - Labor Day Holiday
(No class; students can attend labs on Wednesday and Friday for assistance with take home exercise due the following week).

9-14-09

Overview of types of Maps and Map systems
Lab: Survey of types of maps

9-21-09

Maps and Visualization - Symbolizing places and spaces on maps
Lab: What's in a symbol?

9-28-09

Map reference and coordinate systems
Lab: Where is it?

10-05-09

All about Thematic Maps
Lab: Creating a thematic map

10-12-09

All about Topographic Maps
Lab: Interpreting topography

10-19-09

Review of Part 1
Lab: Optional - Discussion related to online readings to prepare for Exam

10-26-09 - Exam 1

Part 2 - Making Maps

11-2-09

Mapping hierarchical data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 1: Dot density maps

11-9-09

Mapping classified data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 2: Choropleth maps

11-16-09

Mapping temporal data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 3: Isoline maps

11-23-09

Map design considerations
No lab this week (Thanksgiving Recess)

11-30-09

Map making techniques and technologies
Lab: Map design considerations

12-7-09

Review of Part 2
No Lab this week (Classes end on Wednesday, December 9)

12-18-09: FINAL EXAM