ENVS-418 Online

ENVS-418 may again become an Online Course… here’s what you need to know about that.

Table of Contents

    CLASS FORMAT

    • The course will have 5 LABS / MODULES
      • Each lab will have a combination of static and online maps
      • Most labs will also have a draft maps assignment and peer review of other student’s maps
      • Each of the 5 labs have assigned READINGS that correspond with the lab
    • Most labs will have a QUIZ, taken primarily from the Readings (but also the Lectures, Demos, etc.)
      • Quizzes will be via Canvas
      • There is not a mid-term
      • There is not a final exam
    • We will be meeting as scheduled
    • LECTURES & DEMOS will be a combination of pre-recorded videos (which you can watch when you want to) and live web presentations (i.e., Zoom) during our scheduled class time
      • Most of the Lectures will be pre-recorded videos
      • Most of the Demos and lab assignment information will be live
      • We’ll also use Zoom for small group discussions
    • A portion of each day’s class time will be ‘lab sessions’ – time to work on your assignments
    • The TA and I will be hosting online virtual office hours (via Zoom) when you can ask questions, etc.
    • The TA’s for the other GIS classes will also be holding virtual office hours via Zoom each week. See the SAL GIS Class & TA Schedule for times and Zoom Meeting ID’s

    GENERAL NOTES (WWU Online GIS Classes)

    • See General Notes on WWU Online GIS Classes for info on:
      • Required Hardware, Software and User Accounts
      • Personal Computers (Windows vs. Macs) and Mobile Devices
      • Remote Login options (VPN, Remote Desktop, etc.)

    ArcGIS Pro Notes and Recommendations

    • You will need access to ArcGIS Pro to complete the lab assignments. This can either be installed on a personal computer or you can use remote login to a campus computer that has ArcGIS Pro.
    • If you are installing ArcGIS Pro on a personal computer see: Using ArcGIS Pro Off-Campus and install version 2.7 (see discussion below)
    • If you are using Remote Login to use a computer on campus see: Remote Login Notes
    • ArcGIS Pro 2.6 vs 2.7
      • In general, there is not a huge amount of difference between 2.6 and 2.7
      • The Huxley (SAL) computers have 2.7 installed, but some computers on campus still use 2.6
      • If you have a computer with 2.6 installed I recommend you upgrade to 2.7

    ZOOM Notes and Recommendations

    • Recommended: use computer or tablet (not a phone)
    • Recommended: Install the Zoom app (you don’t have to but you might as well)
    • You DO need to have a Zoom account
      • You can either use a Free Zoom account OR your (free) WWU Zoom Pro account (see https://huxley.wwu.edu/sal/gis-online-classes#useraccounts)
        • You will need to have a Zoom account (and be logged in) to join the class ‘meetings’
      • Please add a profile picture (from the zoom.us/profile)
        • Go to zoom.us
        • Click the Sign In button (if you are not already signed in)
        • Click the My Account button
          • Choose the Profile tab
          • Under the picture icon, choose Change
          • Choose Upload to browse for a picture
    • We’ll be using Zoom ‘Meetings’ for class
      • You will have to be logged in to join a meeting
      • Please MUTE your mic (it should be muted by default)
        • Remember to Un-mute your mic if you want to say something
        • You can temporarily un-mute yourself using the Space bar
      • Please turn On your VIDEO
        • If you have limited internet speed you might want to turn your video off
        • If you do, be sure that you have added a profile picture…
      • I recommend joining the meeting a few minutes early to make sure everything works
    • See the Zoom Help Center for details on getting started, different viewing options, etc.
    • Within a Zoom meeting you can (optionally) share your screen or allow remote control of your computer:
      • To Share you Screen see: Share Your Screen
        • Sharing your screen allows everyone in the meeting see your screen
        • There is not a way to share your screen with just your instructor
      • To allow Remote Control see: Give Remote Control
        • Allowing remote control of your computer lets someone else take over the mouse
        • This can be useful for letting someone show you what you need to do (rather than trying to describe what to do or where to click…