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Week 9 Assignment (40pts)
Respond to the prompts below. Responses must be entered directly into this Word document below
the corresponding question, and this document re-uploaded (as a WordDoc; .docx) to the appropriate
Assignment page on Canvas for the week.
Please rename this file when saving it as “Week9Assignment_GIS3015_FirstNameLastName”
(putting your name in the file name). You will lose 5pts if the file is not renamed appropriately or saved
as a WordDoc file (.docx), and/or if you do not keep all original document formatting.
Background Information:
Google Earth (GE) is a user-friendly, simple Geographic Information System (GIS) interface that allows users to
visualize, manage, manipulate, and present geographic information in a 3D environment. The software utilizes
a combination of satellite images, aerial photography, and GIS data to let users see geographic information in a
dynamic multiscale format. Recognizing the wealth of information available in this platform, this assignment aims
to introduce the students to some of the basic tools offered in Google Earth Pro for creating basic maps. A simple
way to think of GE is that it is a ‘diet GIS’ – A GIS with less features and a slimmer suite of capabilities than more
robust GIS software platforms like ArcGIS or QGIS. This slimmer design comes with many benefits though! It is
simple and extremely straightforward – when you need to just make a map, GE is ideal! Sometimes the
complexity of GIS can be overwhelming to new users, especially when all they want to do is make a basic map.
There are multiple versions of Google Earth (for Desktop, mobile, web) – We will be using the most robust
version, Google Earth Pro for Desktop.
The interface of GE is composed of four panels: Search, Places, Layers, and Viewing. The Search panel allows
the user to type in an address, feature, place, etc. to search for it in the GE database. The Places panel allows
the user to add/remove locations of interest. The Layers panel consists of a series of thematic data layers created
by GE and other sources. The Viewing panel is where the user can view the GE information and generate maps.
In-depth tutorials and how-to guides are available at:
https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/learn/
In addition to the many free how-to’s provided by Google about GE, there are TONS of videos and write-ups
across the internet about various niche uses in the software. If you want to watch a relatively in-depth beginners
guide video to GE, I recommend: https://youtu.be/3lGl1VZjtg4. This video is produced by GeoDelta Labs – a
wonderfully informative GIS community that offers many instructional videos on GIS and remote sensing topics
(including Google Earth). This assignment will require students to be more proactive in seeking the information
they might need to complete the requests. All information needed for the assignment can be found in the provided
links in this document, but I encourage you to supplement those materials as you see fit.
*NOTE* There are two parts to this assignment.
1
Part 1 (15pts):
Google offers many different tutorials and guides on various aspects of their Google Earth platform. For this part
of this assignment, you will work through Google’s “Annotating Google Earth” tutorial
(https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/learn/annotating-google-earth/). Everyone is expected to work through
the tutorial and mimic the examples included (i.e. create the same features). You DO NOT have to do the ‘Embed
YouTube Videos in your Balloon’ section at the end; you must complete everything up to and including the
‘Embed Images in your Balloon’ section. Once you have finished the tutorial, you need to take a screenshot
showing that you have embedded an image in your balloon and have completed all prior sections. Make sure
the screenshot is of your entire desktop and GE interface (with your computer’s date/times visible). If
you’re in doubt that your screenshot captures everything needed, you are welcome to submit multiple
screenshots showing the various layers/etc. (BUT computer date/times must be visible). Insert your
screenshot(s) in this document, below this prompt. 10pts will be deducted if computer date/times are not visible
in your screenshot(s).
SCREENSHOT(S):
2
Part 2a (20pts):
Once you have completed Part 1, then you are tasked with creating a simple map using the tools you learned
about in the tutorial. The map must show three different routes from the Bellamy Building (on FSU’s campus) to
three of your favorite places to eat lunch at in Tallahassee. But you must consider if you need to ride a bus, drive
a car, etc. – they need to be included on the map. Where would your car be parked if you are going from Bellamy
to your favorite restaurants? Etc. You need to create appropriate symbols for every feature of interest in your
map (i.e. Bellamy, the restaurants, where you parked your car, etc.) and create paths that show the routes. You
should strive to make the map as comprehensive and logical as you can. Think about what you learned about
Symbolization, Generalization, etc. I should be able to take a glance at the map and know where all the good
places to eat in Tallahassee are in reference to the Bellamy Building. Once you have created all of the symbols
and features, then export a copy of your map (ctrl+p). GE will export your saved maps as a .pdf. Make sure you
include an appropriate legend, scale bar, north arrow, and title. You need to go one step further and convert your
map from .pdf to .jpg and insert it under this assignment prompt. There are many file converters online that can
do this for free (be wary of sketchy ones with virus-laden ads!), as well as Adobe Acrobat will let you export .pdfs
in various file formats too. A big component of digital mapping is providing map data in specific requested formats.
And to be clear – you cannot screenshot your map for this part of the assignment, it must be exported →
converted → inserted below.
NOTE: Google Earth has a wonky software bug that causes ‘Paths’ (routes/lines) to not retain their line thickness
when exported. So, when you increase the thickness of the Path lines, it will not stay the same after exporting
as a .pdf (they default to a small width). You will not be penalized for this – this is just a weird quirk with GE that
has yet to be resolved.
LUNCH ROUTE MAP:
3
Part 2b (5pts):
Provide a summary of your experience in making your lunch route map. Was it easy? Difficult? Do you think
you’ll ever use it? Is it true that ‘just anybody’ can make a digital map nowadays? Give your honest reflective
opinions about your experience making the GE map; no grade penalties as long as you provide a response.
Answer:
4
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