In these first three lab sessions of the course, I have already learned a lot of skills: both in terms of the variety of functions available in the GISystem ArcMap, as well as analytical skills in assessing the results and features of the map. I feel as though I have begun to create a solid foundation that I can continue to build on for the remainder of the course.

Accomplishment Statements:

In Lab 1, I researched various GIS applications posted on the Internet, for example a map depicting tsunami wave heights after the earthquake in Japan, and analyzed the integrity and ethics of the data and map representation to gain awareness of the various ways in which data sources and techniques can be used differently to produce maps for certain objectives.

In Lab 2, I learned how to combine layers with different coordinate systems by using the projection-on-the-fly method, as well as the ArcToolbox and transformation commands in ArcGIS: both of which allowed me to properly line up the layers on my map to avoid error introduced my misalignment.

In Lab 3, I used a variety of spatial and tabular datasets in both raster and vector formats to calculate statistics and create a map of Vancouver that specifically highlighted areas that are in danger of a tsunami, and identified the various land uses, education and health centers, and roads that are within this danger zone.

In Lab 4, I acquired census data from Statistics Canada and created a geodatabase in ArcMap to produce maps using different types of data classification methods to compare housing affordability between Vancouver and Ottawa.

Lab 5, I completed the seven steps of data visualization (acquire, parse, filter, mine, represent, refine, interact) and used an overlay analysis to union together all of the layers containing protected areas in my environmental impact assessment.