GEOG 488
Acquiring and Integrating Geospatial Data

Part II: Assessing Data for Your Local Area

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Module 2: Starting your Own Course Project

A. Assessment of Data in Your Local Area

Your story:

You can take any number of approaches for this module. Be sure that you feel comfortable with your decision as this modules continues on throughout the class and is ultimately part of the final course project.

A couple possible scenarios:

  • You work in local government and have a very good idea about what GIS data exist in your area. You might assume that as a decision-maker for your municipality you will be making contributions to The National Map. What layers exist? What layers don't? Where are you in terms of being ready to share your data?
  • You work in the private sector for a GIS consulting firm and are aware of what GIS data need to be created for the area. Can you help your local government offices prepare data to be shared in a GIS portal? Are they aware of what data are needed? What is the estimated cost of what they need?
  • You work for the Fish and Wildlife Service and would like to be using GIS more to enhance your projects. You realize the value of having data acquired at the local level that is then shared upward through the state and then the federal government. You decide to assess your local situation and find out how it works in your area. You're not sure if they are aware of national initiatives or if they are interested in creating or sharing data for use by anyone outside the area.
  • You are a GIS hobbyist and want to map the piece of land you own. You have been able to download some basic layers from a state clearinghouse, but are interested in acquiring some more detailed layers. You decide to meet with some folks in the area to determine what data are available and find out if they have a need for someone to do some contract work and help them fill in some gaps in their system.
  • You are a high school teacher and want to teach your students about GIS. You want them to realize that they don't always have to be data consumers, but can contribute something back to their community. You would like to meet with some county and municipal officials and have them visit the school and talk about what data they have and how they were created. You want them to emphasize that there are always more data to collect and updates to be made.

Questions you might ask local contacts:

  • Would you be willing to share information and data for a project I am working on for a class? Can I list you as a contact in my online portfolio? If not, then use a cumulative document to build the final project.
  • Does a GIS exist in our area? If yes, what data exist? If no, what data would you like to have?
  • From where do the data originate?
  • How many departments use GIS data? Is there collaboration between departments? Between municipalities?
  • Can you give me any idea about how much has been spent on data?
  • Are the data available to the public - free or fee?
  • Are you familiar with The National Map? Are there any plans to contribute to that effort?
  • What are the local requirements that require a Licensed Land Surveyor to be used (Hint: always for land-title issues, buildings, and rights of way).

B. Deliverables

This module is one week in length. There is no required deliverable this week other than finishing the required readings and participating in the online discussion. The topic is posted in this week's discussion forum - reply to that post. Below you will see a list of things to post to your web page, but these are mostly to get you to start thinking about your final project. I realize there is a LOT to read this week and a lot to process. Ideally, you will get an idea for your project and start to gather some contact information for your area. If you are able to post some of the information listed below, that's great. If not, it should be posted by the end of week 2. By the end of the course, the weekly deliverables should all come together as the final deliverable. It should only need to be polished at that point.

1. Readings:

Required:

  • CHAPTER 1 Thurston, J., T. K. Poiker, & J.P. Moore. Integrated Geospatial Technologies: A Guide to GPS, GIS, and Data Logging. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 2003. ISBN: 0471244090 This chapter provides a decent overview about geotechnology.
  • IN LINE WITH GIS: GIS AND SURVEYING ISSUES PART I AND PART II  Articles about bridging the gap between surveying and GIS
  • WHY DOESN'T THIS FIT?  An article comparing GIS and surveying when it comes to the land base
  • INTEROPERABILITY:  A look at Safe Software's approach to interoperability.

Recommended:

2. Post a paragraph about your course final project topic.

3. Post a list of GIS project specifications to your cumulative document or e-portfolio, including write-ups of:

  • Data needs
  • Data availability/cost
  • Data accuracy
  • Future considerations for completion of final project

4. Start a "digital rolodex." List the contacts you made this week and explain how they helped or what they contributed to your plan. You should make at least three contacts by week three of the course.

5. Discuss the weekly topic on the discussion forum.

6. Start to think about and write your course paper. See the Course Paper Assignment page for more information about this assignment. It will be due by week five. If you are waiting for contacts to get back to you, this is a great time to polish off the course paper, that is, before your final project starts to occupy all your time.

That's it for Part II...and Lesson 1!

You have just completed Project 1.

Don't forget...if you have any questions,feel free to post them to the Lesson 1 Discussion Forum.