Latest Contributions by BrianBaldwin

Question I was curious to know if anyone has built a custom filter to solve the 'apply action' with Experience Builder. This post on another location lays out the problem pretty well: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-experience-builder-questions/many-to-many-relationship-in-experience-builder/m-p/1342167#M8968 Basically - I have a relationship that is like the following: Car - CAR_PERSON - Person Where I have a M:M relationship setup and I want to filter all of the 'Persons" based on a 'Car' selection - But - after selecting the 'Car' - I then need to manual a manual selection in the intermediary table. Are there any tools/custom filters that have already been created to apply that 'selection' action to a filter result?  ... View more

Modern GIS: Mapping & Cartography This is the 2nd blog in a 6-part series highlighting the core concepts of a Modern GIS. The first post can be found here: Modern GIS Over the past few years, Esri’s Education team have been discussing the technology shift and the need for GIS coursework to move from desktop-centric patterns to those that include the web. Desktop GIS is still an integral part of the story – but it is no longer the focus of the story. Desktop GIS is vital for data management, advanced analysis, and cartographic production – but many of those workflows are now part of a web-based context. Desktop tools can now seamlessly consume web-based services published by authoritative geospatial agencies and individuals across the globe. Desktop GIS can publish map services and layers to the cloud – to be consumed by web-based applications and tools, and desktop GIS can edit and manage web-based data and layers. Through this series, we are asking: So, what does a course look like that focuses on the fundamentals of GIS but adjusts to a more web-centric paradigm? In this blog, we will be looking at mapping & cartography. Mapping & Cartography What is a map? What do students need to know when they create one? Have the required skills and knowledge changed with the advent of ‘web-based GIS’? Or not? Maps have been created for thousands of years and the art & science of HOW to make maps has been passed on or taught for just as long. Source: Imago Mundi, Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons It might seem basic, but before we can understand whether or not mapping and cartography has changed, it makes sense to start with some understanding about what cartography is. “It’s (cartography) about communicating spatial phenomena in a way that resonates with people and helps them better understand” – Edie Punt “It’s the visual communication of a geographic phenomenon… mix of geography (which is already awesome), with art (which is already awesome), awesome + awesome = cartography” – John Nelson “Everything about making a map is a compromise… a cartographer must make decisions about what to put on and take off… maps are an opportunity to tell your audience something interesting, to communicate a story” – Ken Field Cartography is about the decisions required to best represent spatial information. So, has the advent of web GIS changed cartography at all? In an overly simplified way – no. Maps are a visual medium to communicate information. Even though maps can now be created and shared with mobile phones and via web applications, the fundamentals remain the same. Yet, those making maps in ancient China and Alexandria didn’t need to contend with mobile optimization, feature layers, or screen readers. While the science and the art of cartography has evolved, the technology has changed dramatically. Ken Field probably put it the most succinctly: Concepts remain. Technology changes. More Options! In the first phase of the Cartographic Process, the author needs to understand the purpose of the map they are about to craft. With the advent of mobile and web-based maps, there are more options than ever before with how maps can be designed and delivered. With all of the options, it’s critical that anyone creating a map knows what options are available and what those options are best suited for. One of the most powerful changes that has transpired over the last few years, has been watching the ‘barriers’ to mapping come down. Primary students can mash up layers of data with basemaps and build their own creations in a matter of minutes. ALS patients are building web applications with eye-gaze technology. Farmers are building mobile maps to monitor pests in Napa’s wine country. Anyone with access to a computer can search for authoritative data, analyze data, modify symbology, and present a story. Maps can literally be created in a minute. But it’s not all ‘maps in a minute’, desktop GIS is still one of the most important tools for the modern cartographer. There are still many things that cannot be accomplished in a web browser yet (high-resolution, annotations, layouts, projection options, highly customized labels, etc.). While desktop GIS is not ‘dead’ by any means, desktop GIS is not the only place where cartography can occur. The form should fit the function. The technology and tools by the author should be based on the purpose of the map. Critically – all of these tools are also inter-connected. A map created for print production in desktop GIS can utilize services and data from Esri’s Living Atlas or other hosted data services and layers. Is the intention for the map as an inset in a magazine? Desktop GIS. Does the map need to be interactive? Web GIS. Is the map intended for the general public to collect field data? Mobile GIS. While options are great… students need to understand WHY they are doing what they are. It Comes Back to the Fundamentals As everyone knows, it’s easy to create an ugly map. It’s something else to create a work of art that communicates information in a clear and concise way. With the ‘democratization’ of mapping, the importance of cartographic principles and fundamentals has never been more obvious. Educators need to ensure that students have the tools and knowledge to assess and understand the barrage of maps and spatial representations that they are presented with on a daily basis. When it’s so easy to create maps – the ability to build them with a critical eye is crucial. Ken Field offers a fantastic list of points for educators and students to bear in mind as they create maps in any context: Make a meaningful decision about every mark on the map Don't rely on defaults Learn how to make the map you want - not the map the software encourages you to accept Learn to give and accept critique While the tools have gotten easier to use and the default symbology is easier to look at – this only reinforces the need for more time spent on answering the ‘why’. Students need to understand the ‘purpose’ of their map and have the knowledge and ability to tell THEIR story with the technology and tools. In Summary GIS has changed a lot in the past few years but the core tenets of what constitutes a good map have not, be it print or web based. What has changed, is the wealth of platforms and technologies that are available to students learning cartography. Students need to be exposed to these tools, feel comfortable working with them, and understand when to use them. Resources We compiled a list of resources and material for this school year and beyond. This list is by no means exhaustive – but attempts to provide a starting place that any educator can use. Esri Academy Cartography MOOC – https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/596e584bb826875993ba4ebf/ Displaying Coordinate Data on a Map (35 minutes) – https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/5d93aac1ea17287deea8962c/displaying-coordinate-data-on-a-map/ Symbolizing Map Layers (1 hour and 45 minutes) – https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/5ca28d18780a171ba3ec188a/symbolizing-map-layers/ Getting Started with Mapping and Visualization (1 hour and 15 minutes) - https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/5c9a7354190cf23eac62a92f/getting-started-with-mapping-and-visualization/ Learn Introduction to Cartography - Tutorial Series – https://introduction-to-cartography-learngis.hub.arcgis.com/ Make a map (last tested 12/2023) - https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/make-a-map/ Design symbology for a thematic map (last tested 02/2024) - https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/design-symbology-for-a-thematic-map/arcgis-online/ Books/Texts Thematic Mapping: 101 Inspiring Ways to Visualise Empirical Data - https://www.esri.com/en-us/esri-press/browse/thematic-mapping Mapping with Altitude: Designing 3D Maps (2024 coming soon) - https://www.esri.com/en-us/esri-press/browse/mapping-with-altitude Cartography: Definitive guide to making maps (2018) - https://www.esri.com/en-us/esri-press/browse/cartography-the-definitive-guide-to-making-maps Documentation/Tutorials Get started with Map Viewer - https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/get-started/get-started-with-mv.htm Layer properties (ArcGIS Pro) - https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.1/help/mapping/layer-properties/layers.htm Coordinate systems and projections (ArcGIS Pro) - https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.1/help/mapping/properties/coordinate-systems-and-projections.htm Other Joseph Kerski - Cartographic Design Course -https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/1eb9674908764e7c87f53c4d907b49a6 John Nelson - Esri Blogs - https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/author/j_nelson/ Kenneth Field - Esri Blogs - https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/author/kenfield/ Heather Smith - Esri Blogs - https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/author/heather-smith/ Russell Roberts - Esri Blogs - https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/author/russell-roberts/ ... 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“Building web applications,” “updating dashboards,” “automating geospatial processes,” “performing data collection,” “implementing enterprise-wide GIS projects,” “maintaining layers,” “creating maps,” “managing servers.” While each job posting alone doesn’t tell us much, after a few hours of perusing, one can get a clear sense of the core skills and knowledge that employers are seeking in today’s job market. As it turns out, the fundamentals haven’t shifted all that much. There is still a strong requirement for data management and a solid understanding of core geospatial concepts. Employers are still seeking applicants with strong cartographic skills and the ability to collaborate across various teams and departments. Yet, the shift in platforms, tools, and technology, is hard to miss. The question this always leads to is: “based on these changes, are educators meeting the needs of the next generation of GIS professionals?”   So – What Should Educators Focus On? It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the ongoing changes in the technology landscape and the compounding need to update labs, lessons, curriculum, textbooks, etc. With these changes, what should GIS educators focus on? Modern GIS can mean different things and the conception of what ‘modern GIS’ is will continue to evolve. As of today, the best definition is the shift of GIS to ‘the web’. In the graphic below, not all the changes represent a desktop/server to a web-based transformation – but it is the over-riding theme. Image showing the technology changes in GIS.   With all these changes in technology and platforms, with the basics staying the same, what are the impacts for faculty and students? Over the past few years, Esri’s Education team have been discussing the technology shift and the need for GIS coursework to move from desktop-centric patterns to those that focus on the web. Desktop GIS is still an integral part of the story – but it is no longer the focus of the story. Desktop GIS is vital for data management, advanced analysis, and cartographic production – but many of those workflows are now part of a web-based context. Desktop tools can now seamlessly consume web-based services published by authoritative geospatial agencies and individuals across the globe. Desktop GIS can publish map services and layers to the cloud – to be consumed by web-based applications and tools, and desktop GIS can edit and manage web-based data and layers.   Focus Areas So, what does a course look like that focuses on the fundamentals of GIS but adjusts to a more web-centric paradigm? This year – we wanted to put emphasis on a few key areas, specifically: Mapping & Cartography Spatial Analysis Sharing & Presenting Imagery (remote sensing) Mobile workflows Within each of these core topics, we will be providing resources, best practices, workshops, and guidance on implementing a ‘modern’ approach to teaching. We also want to hear from, and work, with you. Through webinars, events, lectures, presentations, and discussions – we want to hear about your successes and challenges. What concepts have been difficult or confusing to teach? What are the gaps in learning resources and materials that exist in this transition? Some of the questions we’ve heard from you are: Do I still have students build map layouts ready for print? What are the tenets of cartography when we are thinking about dynamic applications? When do students move from ArcGIS Pro to ArcGIS Online? And why? What are the limitations of spatial analysis in the web? The technology is always going to change. From Avenue to Python, from desktop to web, from Info to ArcGIS Pro, many of you have experienced the dramatic changes this field has undergone. What we want to ensure, is that you have the resources and tools to help your students, your courses, and your programs move forward. For the most current lesson plans, resources, case studies, and best practices, please visit our Modern GIS page. To join in the conversation with your peers, please join our Higher Education Community and comment on this blog. ... View more

Welcome to Esri’s Higher Education Community! This post will serve as an ‘ever-green’ welcome/landing page for the community and the goal is to ensure that you understand how to connect with us and all of your peers. For years now, Esri has provided discounted ArcGIS licenses to colleges and universities across the globe. We also have a dedicated team at Esri that works with and supports you. If you are a student, professor, researcher, license coordinator, facilities administrator, or other – there are folks at Esri and peers in the larger community for you to connect with. In this post – we really wanted to focus on 2 things: Let you know what applications and tools you have access to Ensure that you know how to get in touch with us and your peers   What Does Esri Offer? Esri makes ArcGIS – which includes ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise and a whole host of other applications and extensions. These links provide details on ‘what’ is provided with the Esri license and how you can utilize it.   Does My University Have ArcGIS? Search for your college/university to see if it currently has an ArcGIS license available   Your Institution Agreement High-level explanation of Esri’s Institutional Agreement.   Esri Education Institution Agreement – Global Overview of the software included with Esri’s higher education program – includes teaching, research, and administrative uses   Esri Academic Department License Overview Overview of the software included for teaching and research with Esri’s Department license   Case Studies – Teaching and Research Provides a wealth of case studies/examples of teaching and research with Esri technology   Stay in Touch / Engage Have questions about licensing? Questions about research or tools? Need a textbook recommendation? Looking to hire a new faculty member? All great questions! If it’s getting connected with your Account Manager or technical Esri staff, or reaching out to your peers, we want to ensure you know where to reach out.   Esri Higher Education Community - in Esri Community Esri’s ‘Community’ is our go-to location to post about events, answer your questions, post best practices, and work to engage with you! There are multiple ‘channels’ that you can subscribe to – so please pick your interest and then ‘subscribe’ to get notifications. You also have the ability to 'post' your questions or comments as well - so please join in the conversation!   Esri's Education Team Use this application to understand who your Account Manger is, along with the rest of the team that supports you at Esri   Higher Education Listserv Join the community of faculty and staff. Feel free to post questions and reach out to peers. The list includes about 750 individuals and posts are generally sent 1X/week.   Social In the world of ‘social’ – we manage content on 2 separate platforms. Please follow/comment/post and engage with us. Both feature training & learning resources, events, stories, and more. Facebook – Esri GIS Higher Education Community X (Twitter) – Esri GIS Education   Education Summit / Events Throughout the year – our team appears in-person at a variety of events. We would love to meet and engage with you – so please let us know if you will be attending anything! Education Summit Every year – hundreds of faculty, researchers, librarians, space planners, students, and others come together in San Diego the weekend preceding Esri’s User Conference. We would love to have you join us for one of our favorite events of the year. Events Page For a full listing of all of the upcoming webinars and events   Higher Education Chats Each month - we feature an hour long webinar with tips & tricks, product enhancements, curricular ideas, and more. Please register to receive updates and notifications on upcoming webinars.   ArcNews/ArcUser/ArcWatch – Story Submissions Have an interesting research topic? New course that featured AI+maps? Let us (and your peers) know about it!   If you have any questions - please reach out. There are a lot of people here at Esri, or your peers in the wider community that are here to help! Again - welcome to the Esri Higher Education Community! Lastly - if you have any general questions, you can always reach out to us at: highered@esri.com ... View more