MIX, MASH AND SHARE: EMPOWERING 21ST CENTURY RESEARCH WITH MAPS21ST CENTURY RESEARCH WITH MAPS

Michael Howser & William (Bill) Miller

University of Connecticut LibrariesUniversity of Connecticut LibrariesMap and Geographic Information Center – MAGIC

November 5, 2009,

OUR MISSIONOUR MISSION

The University of Connecticut Libraries’ Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC) collaborates with university departments and state agencies, and organizations to provide the citizens of the state of Connecticut and researchers across the globe with access to C ti t f d hi i f ti With f idiConnecticut focused geographic information. With a focus on providing access to maps, geographic data and resources MAGIC is committed to “Digitizing the Past to Empower 21st Century Research” through providing online access to Connecticut geographic data via the worldproviding online access to Connecticut geographic data via the world wide web with tools and resources which enable anyone to explore our data and maps.

Digitizing the Past to Empower21st Century Research

magic.lib.uconn.edu

21st Century Research

WHO IS BEHIND MAGICWHO IS BEHIND MAGIC

• Bill Miller – Map Library Managerp y g• Michael Howser – Undergraduate Education/GIS Librarian• Jeff Dunn – Geography PhD Student• Cary Lynch – Geography PhD Student• Thomas Bachant - Biomedical Engineering UG

C G• Joel Cinteron – History UG• Steven Daniels – Undecided UG

Tia Hogan Actuarial Science UG• Tia Hogan - Actuarial Science UG• Anna Kuziara – Geography UG• Doug Sands – Geography & Philosophy UGDoug Sands Geography & Philosophy UG

Shifting the ParadigmShifting the Paradigm

Content (Teaching) ParadigmContent (Teaching) Paradigm• We have what they want!

Interactive ParadigmInteractive Paradigm • Mapping made simple

Learning ParadigmLearning Paradigm• What our users want

Discovery ParadigmDiscovery Paradigm• What a great Idea! Empowering Users

Th C t t P diThe Content Paradigm:We have what they want!Pre-June 2008We have what they want!Pre June 2008

CONTENT PARADIGMCONTENT PARADIGM

• “We know what the • Official TerminologyWe know what the user wants”

• If the user really wants

Official Terminology• Structure is preferable

to searchingythis data they can install a plug-in or

g• 37800 = Connecticut• Advanced user

software• Users want to see

d b f h

Advanced user focused

• Library focusedmetadata before the map or data

b a y ocused• 200,000+ maps in

printp

LET’S FIND A MAP OF THE UNITED STATESLET S FIND A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES

USABILITY ISSUESUSABILITY ISSUES

• Difficult to Navigate,Difficult to Navigate, Access, View - (NAV)

• Click, Click, Click, , , ,Click…

• Great Content Hidden by Jargon/Terms

• Multiple Formats

Th I t ti P diThe Interactive Paradigm:Mapping Made SimpleJune 2008Mapping Made SimpleJune 2008

MAGIC 2 0 ONLINE MAP VIEWERMAGIC 2.0 ONLINE MAP VIEWER

• Implemented theImplemented the CadCorp online map viewer

• Multiple formats with no-plugins

• Custom Map Creation• Training, support and

hosting provided by Progeos

TRANSITIONINGTRANSITIONING

• MAGIC 2.0 mapsMAGIC 2.0 maps streamlined and user friendly

• MAGIC Website was still difficult to navigate

• General vs. Advanced Users

INITIAL FEEDBACKINITIAL FEEDBACK

Questions ResponsesQuestions• Can I search for my

address?

Responses• Town level search• Mash-ups with Google

• Do you have more data available?

• Mash-ups with Google address search

• More data added• How can I create a

custom map?

More data added• Streamlined custom

map creationap c eat o• Web Map Service

(WMS) for GIS Users( )

Th L i P diThe Learning Paradigm:What Our Users WantJune 2008-PresentWhat Our Users WantJune 2008 Present

WHAT OUR USERS WANT: A LEARNING PARADIGM

Users Wanted What we Focused onUsers Wanted• Minimal learning curve• Data/Maps they need

What we Focused on• Downloadable Maps &

Data• Data/Maps they need when they need them

• Downloadable Maps &• Search Options• FunctionalityDownloadable Maps &

Data • Self-discovery

Functionality • Usage data &

feedbackSe d sco e y• Search Options• Georeferenced Maps

eedbac• Georeferenced Maps• General UsersGeoreferenced Maps General Users

CLEARING THE FOGCLEARING THE FOG

• Provided vision forProvided vision for initiatives related to:• Website redesign• Digitization Efforts• Mash-ups• GeoCommons• Mobile Applications

DevelopmentDevelopment• Faculty Learning

Community• Outside the Neatline Blog

THE SHIFT FROM EXPERT TO GENERALTHE SHIFT FROM EXPERT TO GENERAL

• Uploaded historicalUploaded historical maps to flickr

• Redesigned website, g ,streamlined data pages, added dynamic viewers

WEBSITE: DATA PAGE TRANSFORMATIONWEBSITE: DATA PAGE TRANSFORMATION

• Converted existingConverted existing data to uniform formats

• KML and Google Maps Preview Options

• Ability to add data to “M M ”“My Maps”

WEBSITE: SEARCH OPTIONSWEBSITE: SEARCH OPTIONS

• Search EngineSearch Engine Optimization

• Examine Keywords to ydetermine where to focus efforts

• Develop search tools• Enable serendipitous

discovery of your content

GEOREFERENCING MAPSGEOREFERENCING MAPS

MASH-UPSMASH-UPS

GEOCOMMONSGEOCOMMONS

• Collaborative learningCollaborative learning space

• Integrate Maps and g p“Geo-everything” into• Presentations• Videos• Websites• Research

• Create Maps & MashupsMashups

MOBILE APPLICATIONSMOBILE APPLICATIONS

• iPhone ApplicationsiPhone Applications• Campus focused• Maps for bus routesp• Undergraduate Student

created

FACULTY LEARNING COMMUNITYFACULTY LEARNING COMMUNITY

• Hands-on immersiveHands on immersive learning on Mash-ups

• Focus on curriculum integration

• 15 members• Faculty (Art, Geography,

Physics, Nursing, Marine SciencesMarine Sciences, Chemistry…)

• Instructional Designersg• Librarians

OUTSIDE THE NEATLINE BLOGOUTSIDE THE NEATLINE BLOG

• Featured MapsFeatured Maps• Did you Know• Potential Lesson• Potential Lesson

Plans

outsidetheneatline.blogspot.com

The Discovery Paradigm:What a great Idea! Empowering UsersMay 2009-PresentEmpowering UsersMay 2009 Present

STUDENT AS SCHOLAR MODEL: A MODEL FOR SUCCESS FOR STUDENT EMPLOYEES

Self‐motivatedCreativity

DiscoveryParadigm

CollaborativeInterdisciplinary

LearningParadigm

TeachingParadigmParadigm

EMPOWERING SCHOLARSEMPOWERING SCHOLARS

Our own Paradigm Shift Model Your Own SuccessOur own Paradigm Shift• Focus on

Undergraduates and

Model Your Own Success• Foster creativity• Look forwardg

general users• Provide multiple

• Look forward• Be aware of research• No is an unacceptablep

options for various users

• No is an unacceptable response

• Collaborate• Instructions and tips

for integrating maps

• Collaborate• Continue to learn

EMPOWERING NEW SCHOLARSHIPEMPOWERING NEW SCHOLARSHIP

• Q: Where was theQ: Where was the Charter Oak located and what is there today?

• A: 1640, 1850 & 1893 Georeferenced Map of Hartford, CT + Google Maps Mashup = Answer

http://outsidetheneatline.blogspot.com/

DATA: DEPTH AND TIMEDATA: DEPTH AND TIME

DATA: VISITORS & PAGE VIEWSDATA: VISITORS & PAGE VIEWS

CRITICAL PATH: WHAT CAN I DO AT MY INSTITUTION?

• Scan maps • Explore hostedScan maps• Obtain Data• Collaborate

Explore hosted options

• Focus small first then • Collaborate• Georeference• Explore what others

expand• Empower students to • Explore what others

are doing - David Rumsey’s Historical

phelp create this contentu sey s sto ca

Map Collection

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

• Visit us at: magic lib uconn edu• Visit us at: magic.lib.uconn.edu

SOURCESSOURCES

• Hodge, D., Pasquesi, K., Hirsh, M., & LePore, P. (2007, April) From Convocation to Capstone: Developing the Student as Scholar. Paper presented at the meeting of Association of American Colleges and Universities, The Student as Scholar: Undergraduate Research and C ti P ti L B h CACreative Practice, Long Beach, CA.

• New Media Consortium, & EDUCAUSE (Association). (2009). 2009 Horizon report, the web version. Austin, Texas: New Media C ti htt // /h i 2009/Consortium. http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/.