If you've ever wanted to create a custom map to complement teaching, support research or accompany a special project, ArcGIS can help you visualize a geospatial project and turn your data into a StoryMap.
What is ArcGIS? What does it do?
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based mapping and analysis solution used to make maps, analyze data, and share/collaborate. ArcGIS StoryMaps is a map builder that allows you to bring your data to life through mapping. StoryMaps is constantly being enhanced by Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.) and now has a new (circa 2019) "builder" that incorporates popular components of their "classic" templates.
Here are a couple examples of StoryMaps that were created by former Kenyon students using the new builder:
- storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/771ae493499947bdb4ebbdbb500e246b
- storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e684461e7d784fa083a71d017e06582f
(Please note that you need to be signed into an account to see these examples — see below for creating an account)
StoryMap Training
- Kenyon ArcGIS Training Handout (how to get an account and get started)
- Kenyon ArcGIS StoryMaps Video Explainer (also embedded at the end of this page)
- Getting Started with ArcGIS StoryMaps (explains step-by-step process of the StoryMap builder)
- The Anatomy of a Story (a sort of cheat sheet explaining features of the builder and how to access them)
- Get Started with StoryMaps | Learn ArCGIS (Tutorial #1 that walks you through building a StoryMap using sample text and images)
- Telling Stories with GIS Maps (Tutorial #2 designed for secondary students)
Planning Your StoryMap
The following are a mix of old (“Classic”) and new StoryMap help pages and ArcGIS Blog articles. There is plenty of useful information in here, but be careful when clicking on links — the old pages’ links may lead to defunct pages.
- Nine Steps to Great Storytelling (How to make your ArcGIS StoryMaps content sing = tips for a powerful StoryMap)
- Planning and outlining your story: How to set yourself up for success (ArcGIS Blog article)
- Ten Essential Steps for Story Map Success (read for content; links go to the classic builder templates so not useful)
- ArcGIS StoryMaps Timeline (StoryMaps timeline with countdown to the death of classic story maps; may provide future of StoryMaps if kept updated)
- Gallery of Classic Story Maps (“classic” story maps; included to be thorough and because these are great for ideas)
Accessing ArcGIS
At this time, Kenyon's ArcGIS Online administrator must generate all Kenyon AGO accounts manually. Faculty members should contact the AGO administrator to have their students' accounts generated. Staff members and other interested students (i.e., those not part of a class project) should contact the administrator directly. Contact Kenyon's ArcGIS Online administrator at holdenere@kenyon.edu.