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HEGIS
> MIIM >
Features |
Minnesota Interactive
Internet Mapping Project (MIIM)
Features
There are
many features
and capabilities which differentiate MIIM from other online mapping
programs. Below are some of the project highlights.
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- Customizable
interface
- Central to the project is the ability of teachers to select from a
list of standard interfaces designed for different grade levels and
customize it to fit their needs. Customization will be done
through a multi-page web form. Possible attributes include:
- Colors - background, map borders, school
name/logo and fonts
- Fonts - Change the size and typeface
- Icons - Several sets of icons are available
for use
- Tools - depending on the grade level,
advanced tools can be hidden
- Selectable background - can be map or aerial
photos
- Scenes can be preset - The starting point of
a lesson or module
- Digitizing
- Students can add their own data to the map, allowing them to learn
with information they are familiar with.
- Create, label and save points, lines, and
polygons
- Features can be edited until they are saved
- Customize attribute data saved with
feature
- Select different line, point, and polygon
styles
- Entry screen for GPS points
- Security
- As students will be able to enter their
own data to the system, it is important that access to this information
be limited. Logins can be created for individual students
or by class. The interface is chosen by login name, allowing
multiple interfaces to be created for a class (for example a teacher
may have more tools and access to all student data).
 Customizable help text
- The interface includes context driven help text. After
clicking the help icon, tools and map elements are highlighted,
allowing the student to click on them for help. Features
include:
- Help text is part of the database and can be
customized by instructor for grade level or language
- Supports HTML tags, images and fonts can be
configured through a web-based interface
- Wide variety
of data
sources -
There
are many free sources for downloading map layers and other data.
Teachers can choose the data to display when customizing the map
interface.
- Spatial data - Some examples
include the
Minnesota DNR, USGS, Minnesota PCA, and Land Management Information
Center. There are also many web sites that can be linked to
which
provide information on a local to global scale. Click here for
a list of data currently available.
- Non-spatial data - Some
examples include MPCA WQ testing
locations and census information.
- Measure
Tool - An easy to use tool that will measure
distances and calculate areas.
- Printing
- Maps are created as a PDF, allowing them to be easily printed or
saved electronically.
- Will
run on a variety of computers-
MIIM does not require any software to be downloaded to the student's
computer and should function on any Windows or Mac computer supporting
Java script. We have tested it on Internet Explorer 6.0 and
higher and Firefox 2.0 (currently does not work on Safari 3.0 for
Windows or Opera). A broadband internet connection is
recommended.
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