For this lab assignment, I created an interactive campus map using ArcGIS Online. I chose the Sidebar instant web app template because it allows detailed information to be displayed alongside the map—when a user clicks on a campus location, a sidebar pops up with more details. This layout is ideal for highlighting the significance of each location on campus.
Check out my interactive campus map here: Interactive Campus Map
View the CSV data used for the map here: CSV Spreadsheet
For point data, I built a custom point layer using the CSV file containing five locations on campus that are significant to me (my dorm, class buildings, and study areas). I selected a topographic basemap for its clarity and intuitive depiction of terrain, which helps in understanding the campus layout. I added a polygon layer to sketch the footprints of the buildings I frequent, providing context to the campus environment. For the point layer, I adjusted the symbology to reflect the Days a Week Visited attribute. Locations with a value of 7 are displayed as the largest points, those with 5 as medium, and those with 3 as the smallest. I also added labels that show these numbers directly on the map for clear visual differentiation.
In designing this map, I made several key decisions. The Sidebar template was selected to effectively convey detailed contextual information in a side panel. This layout ensures that viewers can quickly access additional data without cluttering the map view. By adjusting the point symbology based on a numerical attribute, I aimed to visually communicate the frequency of my campus visits. This approach transforms simple location data into an informative narrative that reflects my daily life on campus. Choosing a topographic basemap was important for maintaining a clear and intuitive background. Overlaying building footprints adds another dimension, helping viewers understand spatial relationships on campus.
The potential of web mapping for Digital Humanities (DH) work is vast. Maps are no longer just about geography—they can incorporate rich layers of cultural, social, and historical data. Web maps like mine offer interactive, dynamic ways to engage with data, making them invaluable for research, storytelling, and public scholarship.
ArcGIS Online, in particular, is a powerful platform for DH projects. Its extensive customization options, ease of sharing, and robust analysis tools enable researchers to create visually compelling and data-rich maps. From adjusting symbology and creating interactive pop-ups to integrating multimedia content, ArcGIS Online provides a flexible environment for exploring and presenting humanities data.
4 thoughts on “Lab 6”
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I appreciate your reflection on the possibilities of web mapping for DH work, and think it presents a lot of interesting ways that these tools can be used. I agree with your point that this type of tool can make research and data more engaging for audiences to interact with, and is thus really useful for presenting data in compelling and narrative ways. I also agree with your comment about public scholarship, as I think one of the main strengths of web mapping is that it is much more approachable for non academic audiences, as well as a medium many are already familiar with. Overall, great comments!
Your attention to detail is very impressive. While making your map you are thinking about how the map can be accessible to your audience. Not only that, but you’re making an argument to your audience through your map about spatial humanities, which I hadn’t really thought to add to a map before.
Great work on your interactive map! It makes sense to choose a topographic basemap for its clarity and ease of interpretation. I agree with your point that web mapping has great potential for analyzing different kinds of data and making them more interactive for research, visualization, and storytelling. I also share your opinion that ArcGIS Online is a powerful tool for DH projects.
I really like the template that you chose for your map. The sidebar feature was a good addition to making the map clear but also informative at the same time. I thought it was interesting that you labeled the dots with the numbers of the days you visited. I like that you mentioned how web maps can be about more than just geography. The field has so much potential and has evolved so much to the point where Digital Humanists can make use of them for a variety of different projects.