Laura Secord\u2019s 1813 trek to warn British forces of an impending attack is a well-known chapter of Canadian history \u2014 one that will soon be used to educate on modern technology.<\/p>\n
Brock students, faculty and staff will have two opportunities this month to learn more about geographic information systems (GIS) while exploring her journey.<\/p>\n
The online ArcGIS workshops will focus on mapping and sharing geospatial data using Secord\u2019s 32-kilometre route as the subject matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will plot points of interest and share the results,\u201d says Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator Sharon Janzen, who will facilitate the workshops. \u201cI look forward to showing participants how we can bring new life to Laura Secord\u2019s fateful and historic journey from Queenston to Thorold by using cutting-edge GIS technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Introduction to ARCGIS<\/a>, which takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 19, \u00a0will explore the ArcGIS online map viewer, accessing various data sources, applying filters, creating pop-ups and more. No experience with ArcGIS is required to attend this interactive, step-by-step workshop.<\/p>\n The ARCGIS Story Maps<\/a> workshop, which takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 26, will introduce a web-based platform for sharing a variety of content including narratives, videos, images and maps.<\/p>\n \u201cThis storytelling tool is a free alternative to other web page development tools,\u201d Janzen says.<\/p>\n Both workshops will use research inspired by the late Alun Hughes, an Associate Professor in Brock\u2019s Department of Geography and Tourism Studies who specialized in cartography and GIS.<\/p>\n Hughes documented five stages of Secord\u2019s famous journey in \u201cFollowing in Laura\u2019s footsteps<\/a>,\u201d an article originally published in the newsletter of the Historical Society of St. Catharines in 2012. Participants will have the opportunity to plot each of her stops and consider different ways of visualizing what the landscape would have looked like in 1813.<\/p>\n