Learning Technology Index

  

StoryMaps*

asynchronouscommunicationvideolearning object creatorinteractivecontent delivery

What is it?

ArcGIS StoryMaps is a web-based application that enables users to share maps in the context of narrative texts and other multimedia content.

 

What is its purpose?

The primary purpose of this tool is to give your narrative a stronger sense of place, illustrate spatial relationships, and add visual appeal and credibility to research ideas.

How do I use it?

StoryMaps is an online platform that can be accessed directly from your browser (Chrome, Mozilla, Safari, Edge).

Though users must register for an account, ArcGIS SotryMaps has an association with Google, Facebook, Apple and Github. Anyone with any of these accounts can use their login information to sign-up for ArcGIS StoryMaps.

On the login page, you can either create a new public account or sign in with the partner logins like Facebook or Google.

 

 

Why would I use it?

1.      ArcGIS StoryMaps allows its users to create stories with high visualization, embed online content, compare images or maps, use slideshows, map tours and sidecars (immersive blocks with stationary media panels and scrolling narrative panels).

2.     ArcGIS StoryMaps provides a wide range of design templates.

3.    You can set up Google Analytics on the page to track engagement.

4.     A print button is included for the easy transition of a page into a pdf format to print.

 

 

Usage considerations

ArcGIS StoryMaps requires the use of a desktop. You can preview your stories on mobile devices, but editing is available only on a desktop computer. It requires a subscription to use a few advanced features such as private storage, embedded HTML, audio input and alternate themes.

Quick Facts
Category
Object Creation
Rating Level 
Web Search
Website
StoryMaps*
Last Modified
10 November 2021
Created
07 April 2021
License Available 
No
More Info

Security Concerns
Yes
Technical Support 
Platform(s) 
Requires a modern web browser.

Ratings Information

CITL Rating

Select any category below for details about the criteria for each rating.

Functionality: ★★★
Scale:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool can be scaled to accommodate any size class with the flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice.
Ease of Use:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize for both instructor and learner. Use is intuitive for both instructor and learner.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Instructors):★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; No campus-wide technical support is available.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Students):★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; No campus-wide technical support is available.
Hypermediality :★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with the material.
Accessibility: ★★★
Accessibility Standards:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool meets accessibility guidelines (i.e. W3C WCAG 2.0 standards)
User-focused participation:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning.
Required Equipment:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Proper use of the tool does not require equipment other than a computer and access to the internet.
Technical: ★★★
Integration/Embedding within a Learning Management System (LMS) :★☆☆
Serious Concerns. Serious Concerns; This tool can only be accessed in an LMS through a hyperlink or static representations of the tool (e.g. file export); it cannot be integrated into any LMS for the tool's functionality.
Operating Systems:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Users can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system.
Web Browser:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Users can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date web browser.
Additional Technical Requirements:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Users do not need to download additional software or browser extensions. Additional accounts or software is not required.
Mobile Design: ★☆☆
Access:★☆☆
Serious Concerns. Serious Concerns; This tool is not available for mobile devices.
Functionality:★☆☆
Serious Concerns. Serious Concerns; You can read the stories on Mobile and tablets. However, to post a story computer is required.
Offline Access:★☆☆
Serious Concerns. Serious Concerns; This tool cannot be used in offline mode.
Usage and Account Set Up: ★★★
Sign Up/Sign In:★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; An instructor needs an account to create or write the stories but learners do not need any account to read the stories.
Cost of Use:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; All basic features are free of cost. Few fancier features need a subscription.
Archiving, Saving, and Exporting Data :★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Users can archive, save, or import and export content or activity data in a variety of formats (some of which are open standards)
Data Privacy and Ownership:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Users maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if / how data is to be shared.
Social Presence: ★★★
Collaboration :★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users.
User Accountability:
Not Applicable. Not Applicable;
Diffusion:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool is widely known and popular, it’s likely that most learners are familiar with the tool and have basic technical competence with it.
Teaching Presence: ★★★
Facilitation:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; The tool has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with learners via active management, monitoring, and engagement.
Customization:★★★
Works Well. Works Well; Tool is adaptable to its environment: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes.
Learning Analytics:
Not Applicable. Not Applicable;
Cognitive Presence: ★★☆
Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s):★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; This tool enables functional improvement to engagement in the targeted cognitive task(s)
Higher Order Thinking:★★☆
Minor Concerns. Minor Concerns; The tool may engage learners in higher-order thinking skills.
Feedback on Learning:
Not Applicable. Not Applicable;

Security and Privacy

The service is not offered by Memorial University and has not been reviewed by Information Management and Protection.

Support Information

Instructions are available in Resources on the ArcGIS StoryMaps website.

Video tutorial  is available on Youtube. 

You can contact the customer service of ESRI Canada for general questions at 416-441-6035.

You can also fill out this form  to send your questions or comments to Esri Accessibility.

Other Note(s)

ArcGIS StoryMaps is capable of processing a large amount of data in the procees of creating stories.

Contact

Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

230 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1B 3X9

Postal Address: P.O. Box 4200, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1C 5S7

Tel: (709) 864-8000