Transformative Learning: Our ArcGIS Training Experience
- Elijah Nsubuga
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
The Ayin Project’s “WASH in Schools – Uganda” initiative included ArcGIS geospatial training support to strengthen data collection and management efforts. Through this training, our water research team gained hands-on experience with ArcGIS Online applications such as Survey123, Dashboards, and StoryMaps. An ArcGIS specialist from ERM facilitated eight online training sessions over the course of eight weeks, helping the team build skills to effectively gather, visualize, and communicate field data.
TAP Team member, Elijah Nsubuga, had the following to say about the training:
A Sincere Thank You
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the ERM Foundation for giving us the opportunity to gain knowledge, wisdom, and valuable skills through the expert guidance of Mrs. Shannon Long, and to The Ayin Project, through Joshua Kurtz, for making this training possible.
Exploring ArcGIS and Its Tools
The ArcGIS training has truly been a transformative experience for me. It equipped me with the tools and confidence to dive deeper into the ArcGIS Online applications and explore its full potential.
One of the most beneficial parts of the training was learning how to use ArcGIS Online applications like StoryMaps, Dashboards, and Survey123. These tools have opened up new opportunities for me to create maps, visualize data, and build interactive dashboards that bring information to life.
Survey123, in particular, has played a major role in enhancing our data collection process. It taught our team how to collect data online in a way that is not only accurate and safe but also efficient. Compared to handwritten data collection, which can be time-consuming and vulnerable to loss or damage, Survey123 allows us to store data securely, access it easily, and save valuable time in the process.
We also learned how to make the most of our mobile phones, tablets, and computers to collect data both online and offline. This flexibility allows us to work effectively in the field and back at the office, whether we have internet access or not.
Through ArcGIS, we also explored powerful features like Dashboards that allow us to compare data, identify trends, and generate meaningful insights.
ArcGIS Mapping
Learning Together, Growing Together
Our weekly training sessions—held over the course of eight weeks—were a source of inspiration and growth. Each session introduced us to new tools and platforms that expanded our minds and improved our daily work.
As a team in Uganda, we’ve gained invaluable skills: using Survey123 to collect and analyze data; building StoryMaps, graphs, and pie charts; and mastering tools in Dashboard to analyze access to clean water for schools—all thanks to the training from Mrs. Shannon Long (ERM) and Joshua Kurtz (TAP).
Looking Ahead
Overall, this ArcGIS training has taught us how to effectively use ArcGIS and Survey123 for data collection, analysis, building StoryMaps, creating dashboards, and so much more. We’re now better equipped to serve our communities with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
About the Author:
This blog article was written by Elijah Nsubuga, a Field and Lab Technician for The Ayin Project (TAP) in Uganda. Elijah plays a key role in data collection, water quality analysis, and field research aimed at improving water and sanitation conditions in Ugandan communities. His growing firsthand experience with ArcGIS Online, Survey123, and data visualization tools is providing valuable insight into TAP’s work on the ground.
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