This week I learned how to create my own, new Google map using a spreadheet I created in Google Drive. I have never created my own map before, but I've always wondered how to do it. I'm actually really glad to have completed this assignment. For the activity, we were to create a Google map that included all the pool locations for the JaxParks Aquatics program. Their current format on their site is not user friendly, nor is it well organized. Though they do include link access to individual locations, they don't encompass them all into one, easily viewable map. So that's what we did! Here is the map I created, based on the pools listed on the JaxParks website. Follow this link to view their page:
http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/jaxparks-aquatics/jaxparks-public-swimming-pools.aspx
This new map translates that list into an easily viewable, clickable, and printable database:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zSm1Fn6yfSH8.klLBdMNlTzGE
There are several ways self-made Google maps could be useful to organizations and consumers. I can think of a few maps I wish existed right now, and I know I can use this lesson in future business. I would have used it for an event I helped organize with my internship last week if I knew how to do it! There were a few areas where the project could have used something of this nature - not just for the special event - but to help promote the purpose of the non-profit organization itself. I'll recommend that we input this information into a file for year-round and special events as soon as I see the owner tomorrow!
I personally, though, would love to see a map of all the locations that host Craft/Farmers Markets. I love to shop local and support my community, and I really enjoy walking around outdoors with my family and talking to the people who made or grew the products they're selling. I feel good about buying from other members in my community, supporting our local economy, and making friends with vendors who may toss in some apples as a bonus to my order because they appreciate my business - just like Ms. Rosie did yesterday at the Town of Orange Park Fall Festival!
Monday, October 19, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Jacksonville's Hidden Gems - My Addition
Take a look at my contribution to this map, Camp Chowenwaw Park! I love this little gem!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Still Working on Analytics
This week we're working on Google analytics still. Learning more about how the figures are generated helps me understand how to interpret the data I see represented on the analytics on pages. I used my blogger page as the landing page for the Google analytics code for Lab assignment 7-1. It didn't take a long time for inquiries to appear and numbers to start reflecting changes. Take a look:
I still struggle a bit understanding exactly what I'm looking at, however the graphs do make things a bit easier to view. As a newcomer to the field of web analytics, I find it interesting that so many ideas can be represented in numerical data such as those I see on the back ends of websites.
I have basic knowledge and only limited access to the back end of websites, but I'm seeing so many similarities and representing trends from site to site, I imagine it's only short period of time before I truly understand what all the figures I'm seeing really represent.
A problem I have, though, with web analytics, is that they may or may not actually represent what the audiance actually feels or thinks. Clicks don't always equal sincere interest in a site, much less a brand or product, so it's difficult to decipher what the data actually represents.
I still struggle a bit understanding exactly what I'm looking at, however the graphs do make things a bit easier to view. As a newcomer to the field of web analytics, I find it interesting that so many ideas can be represented in numerical data such as those I see on the back ends of websites.
I have basic knowledge and only limited access to the back end of websites, but I'm seeing so many similarities and representing trends from site to site, I imagine it's only short period of time before I truly understand what all the figures I'm seeing really represent.
A problem I have, though, with web analytics, is that they may or may not actually represent what the audiance actually feels or thinks. Clicks don't always equal sincere interest in a site, much less a brand or product, so it's difficult to decipher what the data actually represents.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Understanding Web Data
This week we are attempting to learn about the matrices used to quantify web data such as analytical, numerical representations of user behaviors. This seems fairly complex, and it is. But perhaps the most difficult part of understanding it all is that it is math based on non-math. In other words, the matrices attempt to assign numerical values to things that have no real quantitative data, but are instead qualitative.
Just a refresher, quantitative data is that which can be represented in numbers, that is factual and not objective. Quantitative data is a non-numerical set of data that is represented by words because the data is in regard to non tangible thoughts, behaviors, and influences. To me, the matrices do a great job of attempting to compute user behaviors, but the actual data ends up being somewhat unreliable.
Just because some one clicks on an ad doesn't mean they did it on purpose. Sometimes those annoying pop-ups are intentionally created to make it very difficult to close the window without being redirected to the host site. This would register as a visit by the web user, and perhaps clicks, but it isn't an actual representation of the user's intentional behavior. For this reason, the quantitative data collected, which would be one page visit, would represent false information. The we user never intended to visit the host site, didn't want to be redirected, and wasn't actually interested in the information presented by the host. Thus, the calculation of popularity by page visit/click is unreliable.
Other difficulties one might run across while attempting to understand web data is the terminologies. Some of them are so similar but mean totally different things. Clicks are not the same as click-throughs, for example. It is rather difficult to keep track of.
This week has been a challenge for these reasons, but also because of the work load assigned. For a course of this level, I find it very difficult to swallow four hours worth of additional independent learning in addition to reading writing lengthly papers, blogging, etc. Also, three hours won't suffice; if you didn't complete the entire six course modules, you get no credit. I find this very stressful and not to my benefit. I shouldn't have to spend so many hours on one course alone, especially an undergraduate elective. It is great experience to learn about what's out there in technology and the venues media are currently using, but I am not a web designer, coder, analyst, etc. I am an advertising major attempting to understand media vehicles and delivery with a creative process. I would rather appreciate the opportunity to learn more, but not always the requirement to go above and beyond the work parameters of any given undergraduate course.
Needless to say, I will not be able to complete all of my assignments this week, though I am a diligent, hard-working, committed student with time management skills. I hope the load next week allows me time to really understand the concepts, and not just read as fast as I can to try my best and squeeze out 500 words on one topic, then another 500 on another topic. I'd like to thoroughly understand one rather than partially understand two or three. Better luck next week! Let's see how I do!
Just a refresher, quantitative data is that which can be represented in numbers, that is factual and not objective. Quantitative data is a non-numerical set of data that is represented by words because the data is in regard to non tangible thoughts, behaviors, and influences. To me, the matrices do a great job of attempting to compute user behaviors, but the actual data ends up being somewhat unreliable.
Just because some one clicks on an ad doesn't mean they did it on purpose. Sometimes those annoying pop-ups are intentionally created to make it very difficult to close the window without being redirected to the host site. This would register as a visit by the web user, and perhaps clicks, but it isn't an actual representation of the user's intentional behavior. For this reason, the quantitative data collected, which would be one page visit, would represent false information. The we user never intended to visit the host site, didn't want to be redirected, and wasn't actually interested in the information presented by the host. Thus, the calculation of popularity by page visit/click is unreliable.
Other difficulties one might run across while attempting to understand web data is the terminologies. Some of them are so similar but mean totally different things. Clicks are not the same as click-throughs, for example. It is rather difficult to keep track of.
This week has been a challenge for these reasons, but also because of the work load assigned. For a course of this level, I find it very difficult to swallow four hours worth of additional independent learning in addition to reading writing lengthly papers, blogging, etc. Also, three hours won't suffice; if you didn't complete the entire six course modules, you get no credit. I find this very stressful and not to my benefit. I shouldn't have to spend so many hours on one course alone, especially an undergraduate elective. It is great experience to learn about what's out there in technology and the venues media are currently using, but I am not a web designer, coder, analyst, etc. I am an advertising major attempting to understand media vehicles and delivery with a creative process. I would rather appreciate the opportunity to learn more, but not always the requirement to go above and beyond the work parameters of any given undergraduate course.
Needless to say, I will not be able to complete all of my assignments this week, though I am a diligent, hard-working, committed student with time management skills. I hope the load next week allows me time to really understand the concepts, and not just read as fast as I can to try my best and squeeze out 500 words on one topic, then another 500 on another topic. I'd like to thoroughly understand one rather than partially understand two or three. Better luck next week! Let's see how I do!
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