1) There are many things that can be done with GIS, one thing in particular is

mapping. Through GIS, we can produce many types of maps such as, maps of
quantities, maps of densities; we can map change, and many others. Through the
mapping of quantities we can find areas of concentration, such as where the most
children are located, or where the least amount of strip malls are located. It is
basically used to find where things are most and least likely to be located.
Through the mapping of density, we can see the concentrations of certain things.
One example given on the GIS website was mapping we are mapping areas such
as census tracts. It will make it easier to see the number of people in a certain
area. Another map that can be created through GIS is a map of change. A map of
change can be specifically useful if we are trying to figure out change in weather
patterns or if we are mapping crime trends among other things. Through GIS we
can also create maps within a specific area, such as school zones. Through GIS
we can create many maps that are useful in all areas of daily lives.
2) There are many types of GIS models, but two very popular ones are the Raster
and Vector data models. The Raster model is created using layers of cells most
commonly in the form of a square. Each layer of cells in the data model
represents one attribute. The Raster model usually fills up the entire grid and the
operations are easy to perform. The Vector data model is quite different from the
Raster data model. The Vector model represents each feature as a row in the
table. Instead of cells, the Vector model uses a series of lines, points, and
polygons when creating the model. The polygons usually represent a parcel of
land, a body of water, or counties, among other things. When analyzing Vector
models, there usually is a lot of summarizing involved.
3) Metadata is additional information that is required to make data useful. It is
basically information you need to know in order to use your existing data.
Metadata can provide us with information in an area of interest as well as many
other important facts. Metadata is important because it is a tool that extremely
helps with the understanding of spatial data.
4) There are five steps in the process of performing GIS analysis and all are
important. The first step is to Frame the question. We basically want to find out
what we are trying to answer, what information we need, and how to go about the
analysis. The second step is Select your data. The data we collect determine the
methods we use. In order to answer what we set out to answer we need
dependable data that is accessible and is in our budget. The third step is Choose
an analysis method. We have to decide which analysis method to use based on
our original question. It might be a simple method, or it may be complex, but it
has to help us answer our original question. The fourth step is Process the data.
We need to process the data in a way that makes sense four our goal. Some ways
of processing the data are using coordinates to point out a certain area or
classification schemes. There are many ways to process the data. The fifth and
final step is Look at the results. We have to display our results in a way we can
understand and then take action based on our results. The five steps are
comprehensive, but they are all necessary.
5) The first website I visited is the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection website. This website displays the GIS mapping for many
 environmental locations such as drainage basins, costal resources, and political
boundaries. This website displays some very interesting and necessary
information. The second website I visited is the University of Connecticut Map
and Geographic Information Center. This website contains geospatial data of
towns, counties, states, and New England in general. It also contains online maps,
aerial photos, land cover data, and many other things. This appears to be a good
resource website. The third website I visited is the United States Environmental
Protection Agency. This websites lists many databases that may be helpful for
future research with mapping in GIS. The fourth and final website I visited is the
USGS website. This website shows many different forms of maps and the
different layers used. It is almost shows the different layers in a Raster model.
6) Kk
7) The first website of interest to me is www.gisplanning.com. This website is a
web-based GIS which specifically focus’s on economic development. This
website basically discusses the real world uses of GIS and why it is so helpful in
many areas. The second website of interest to me is www.earth.google.com. This
website gives you satellite images as well as views of the terrain, images, maps
and many other things. This website is very interesting.
My Virtual Campus Transcript

Dennis McDonald

dennis.mcdonald@uconn.edu

Training Completed

Title Exam Score Date

Training In Progress

Title Exam Score Date

Geoprocessing with ArcGIS Desktop

1. Getting Started with Geoprocessing Not complete

2. Data Preparation Not complete

3. Data Analysis Not complete

4. Getting More Out of Geoprocessing Not complete

5. Documenting Your Work Not complete

Learning ArcGIS Desktop

1. Getting Started with ArcGIS Desktop 90% Sep 06 2008

2. Creating Map Symbology Not complete

3. Referencing Data to Real Locations Not complete

4. Organizing Geographic Data Not complete

5. Creating and Editing Data Not complete

6. Getting Started with GIS Analysis Not complete

7. Working with Geoprocessing and Modeling Tools Not complete

8. Designing Maps with ArcGIS Not complete

Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

1. Getting Started with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Not complete

2. Analyzing Surfaces Not complete

3. Working with Map Algebra Not complete

4. Interpolating Raster Surfaces with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Not complete

5. Mapping Distance and Density Not complete

6. Using Cell, Neighborhood, and Zonal Statistics Not complete

Working with Rasters in ArcGIS Desktop

1. Raster Basics Not complete

2. Displaying Rasters in ArcMap Not complete

3. Managing Raster Data Not complete