ENVS-321 as an ONLINE COURSE
ENVS-321 Will be an Online Course for Fall 2020... here's what you need to know about that:
CLASS FORMAT
The course will have 5 LABS
Each lab will have a combination of static and online maps
Most labs will also have a draft maps assignment and peer review of other student’s maps
Each of the 5 labs have assigned READINGS that correspond with the lab.
Most labs will have a QUIZ, taken primarily from the Readings (but also the Lectures, etc.)
Quizzes will be via Canvas
There is not a mid-term
There is not a final exam
We will be meeting as scheduled
LECTURES & DEMOS will be a combination of pre-recorded videos (which you can watch when you want to) and live web presentations (i.e., Zoom) during our scheduled class time
Most of the Lectures will be pre-recorded
Most of the Demos and lab assignment information will be live
We'll also use Zoom for small group discussions
Most of the class time will be ‘lab sessions’ - time to work on your assignments
The TA and I will be hosting online virtual office hours (via Zoom) when you can ask questions, etc.
The TA's for the other GIS classes will also be holding virtual office hours via Zoom each week. See the SAL GIS Class & TA Schedule for times and Zoom Meeting ID's
GENERAL NOTES (WWU Online GIS Classes)
See General Notes on WWU Online GIS Classes for info on:
Required Hardware, Software and User Accounts
Personal Computers (Windows vs. Macs) and Mobile Devices
Remote Login options (VPN, Remote Desktop, etc.)
TEXTBOOKS
DESIGNING BETTER MAPS, 2nd Edition, Cynthia Brewer - REQUIRED PURCHASE
CHAPTER 1 (online):
Or via Dropbox: bit.ly/ENVS-321
Purchase a copy of Designing Better Maps, 2nd Edition:
WWU Associated Students Bookstore
The WWU Bookstore is selling books online w/free shipping
Other online vendors might be cheaper or faster...
GetTextbooks.com (a clearing house of a bunch of different online buying & renting options)
DO NOT purchase the first edition (the two editions are actually fairly different). Get the 2nd edition.
MAKING MAPS, 1st Edition, Kryiger & Wood
You DO NOT need to purchase this book
You can do all of the assigned readings (from this book) online via their Excerpts:
Making Maps ((links to chapter excerpts for 1st Edition are at the lower left of page)
Also available via Dropbox
If you are going to purchase this book (optional) you can get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd edition
ArcGIS Pro Notes and Recommendations
You will need access to ArcGIS Pro to complete the lab assignments. This can either be installed on a personal computer or you can use remote login to a campus computer that has ArcGIS Pro.
If you are installing ArcGIS Pro on a personal computer see: Using ArcGIS Pro Off-Campus and install version 2.6 OR 2.7 (see discussion below)
If you are using Remote Login to use a computer on campus see: Remote Login Notes
ArcGIS Pro 2.6 vs 2.7
In general, there is not a huge amount of difference between 2.6 and 2.7
That said, some of the enhancements are cartographic in nature, so you might want to install / upgrade to 2.7...
But... the campus computers have ArcGIS Pro version 2.6 installed for 2020-21, so if you are using Remote Login to access a campus computer (or if we ever get to return to campus) you wouldn't be able to (easily) open a 2.7 project on a campus (2.6) computer.
That said, if you want to upgrade you should be fine - but it shouldn't matter for anything that I will be assigning for class
ZOOM Notes and Recommendations
Recommended: use computer or tablet (not phone)
Recommended: Install the Zoom app (you don’t have to but you might as well)
You DO need to have a Zoom account
You can either use a Free Zoom account OR your (free) WWU Zoom Pro account (see https://huxley.wwu.edu/sal/gis-online-classes#useraccounts)
You will need to have a Zoom account (and be logged in) to join the class 'meetings'
Please add a profile picture (from the zoom.us/profile)
Go to zoom.us
Click the Sign In button (if you are not already signed in)
Click the My Account button
Choose the Profile tab
Under the picture icon, choose Change
Choose Upload to browse for a picture
We'll be using Zoom ‘Meetings’ for class
You will have to be logged in to join a meeting
Please MUTE your mic (it should be muted by default)
Remember to Un-mute your mic if you want to say something
You can temporarily un-mute yourself using the Space bar
Please turn On your VIDEO
If you have limited internet speed you might want to turn your video off
If you do, be sure that you have added a profile picture...
I recommend joining the meeting a few minutes early to make sure everything works
See the Zoom Help Center for details on getting started, different viewing options, etc.
Within a Zoom meeting you can (optionally) share your screen or allow remote control of your computer:
To Share you Screen see: Share Your Screen
Sharing your screen allows everyone in the meeting see your screen
There is not a way to share your screen with just your instructor
To allow Remote Control see: Give Remote Control
Allowing remote control of your computer lets someone else take over the mouse
This can be useful for letting someone show you what you need to do (rather than trying to describe what to do or where to click...
Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts: