Learning Module: Creating spatial data

Introduction

You should begin this learning module with a physical paper map (a mental map) of the parts of your neighborhood you would like to digitize. This should include the types of data you will use, and the number of shapefiles you will need to create.

Learning Outcomes

• Define the main data models used in GIS: Vector (points, polylines, and polygons) and Raster
• Digitize raster data to create new vector data
• Add metadata to spatial data
• Estimate Uncertainty

Reading (optional)

• Bolstad, Chapter 4
  • All but "Coordinate Transformation"

Presentations

• Features, Themes, and Layers
• Data Models: Vector (Points, Polylines, Polygons) and Rasters
• Raster Data
• Where Spatial Data Comes From
• Introduction to Digitizing and Uncertainty
• Introduction to Metadata

Activities

Go outside, find a place where you can see for a long distance and make a list of the things that you see. Now organize the things into themes that might appear on a map. Add things that are under the ground and in the air (temperature). What other things appear on maps that are not visible (county lines, property boundaries, high water marks from tsunamis). Next, create a table with five columns, one for the name of the theme and one for each of the data types. Enter into the cells the range of extents that you would use each data type for each theme.

Lab

• Digitizing Neighborhoods