Step by Step Cookbook to Classic StoryMaps

 ESRI has created a new, simpler StoryMaps platform. It's very easy to use, but it lacks some of the power of the older Classic Platform. For those folks who want to use the Classic platform, here's a cookbook I created in 2017 for my students.

To compare the two versions, this ESRI blog post is useful: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/472a6ddd582b40b58a5a6af2c30a4573

A tutorial for the new platform is here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cea22a609a1d4cccb8d54c650b595bc4


Get started with Classic StoryMaps:
  1. Create an ArcGIS public account (it’s free). Go to http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/ Click on “sign in” then click on “Create a public account” button
  2. Then click on "go to classic storymaps" --a more powerful program that allows you greater control over design. If you want to use the easier, simpler new StoryMaps that only allows you a single design, then ignore the rest of this cookbook. Here's the link to classic StoryMaps: https://storymaps-classic.arcgis.com/en/app-list/
  3. In  a separate tab, open the tutorial for classic StoryMaps: https://storymaps-classic.arcgis.com/en/how-to/ 
  4. You will be taken to a brief but useful tutorial. Scroll halfway down the page to the section titled "Choose a Story Map application template.” From there, click on “Apps list”
  5. I suggest choosing the third option, “Story Map Cascade.”  Click on “build”, and you are taken into the "Cascade Builder."
  6. First, create a title and then save by clicking the floppy disk icon  (before you click on "add your image or video."

B. Adding Images:
  1. AFTER you have saved, then you can easily add images you own (or public available images) to your ArcGIS account, which will then allow you to  add them to your Story Map. An easy way to do this is to click on the first “add image”, which is right under your title. Then click on “ArcGIS” as your image source. You’ll then be invited to add images to your online ESRI account from your own computer.. Add lots. They’ll be there in your ArcGIS account for whenever you need them.
  2. You can search for public images by clicking on Flickr (even if you don't have your own Flickr account). Click on "All Flickr" then select your license form the dropdown menu. Choosing "Public Domain" will take your to images in the public domain which you can use with proper attribution. 
  3. Clicking on Unsplash will also take you to images licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license, which you can use as well.
C. Adding Sections:
  1. Once you have created  your cover, then   you need to start adding sections. Click the tiny + at the bottom of the page.
  2. Each time you create another section, choose a section option: text, media, immersive section. Save often!

D. Creating an Immersive section:
Immersive sections are the most challenging to create--but  they’re worth the effort. I typically require at least one immersive section. This tutorial is useful: https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2016/07/12/using-the-story-map-cascade-builder-immersive-sections/

E. Creating a Map:
You can use other public maps in ESRI Story Map, but it's good to create your own. Follow this tutorial to do so: learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/create-a-map/

F. Sharing your Site:
After you’ve added  your materials and tested your site, saving frequently, then it's time to share it with the public. Click on the globe icon to do this.

Sources:
I warn my students to be careful about citing all sources, but Story Map does not make it entirely easy to add sources. I require them to include the image source in each image caption, and I also require a final section titled "Sources" at the end of the map. I tell them to add endnotes in brackets in their text (for example, "Someone's exciting quote," [1]), and then cite those sources by number in their sources section (ie, 1. Exciting Source for Exciting Quote.)

EXAMPLES

Getting situated: Start by checking out some examples of ESRI Story Maps:

STUDENT PROJECTS


Langston:Sowards:Miller: 

TUTORIALS

I tell my siudents to  open and read over these tutorials, and keep them open as they try out their test design:

CLASSES

ESRI offers one-day classes in Story Map design. They aren't cheap at $605, but they might be useful. Click here for information.
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EXAMPLES OF STUDENT PROJECTS USING  VARIOUS DIGITAL  TOOLS

Adam Sowards:
Megan Raby: Examples are on: https://exit69history.wordpress.com/ & http://globalenvironmentalhistory.weebly.com/.  

Wordpress: 
StorymapJS + Weebly:
TimelineJS + Weebly:
Nancy Langston: examples using Sutori (and its earlier version, Hstry.com, now defunct) and weebly at

Andrew Stuhl: 
hypothes.is plug-in for wordpress (adding annotations to text):  http://nfnh2017.scholar.bucknell.edu/chapter6/

The now-retired "Places and Events Portal" (hosted by the Rachel Carson Center): http://www.environmentandsociety.org/tools/map#/content/interactive_display_item/search/bucknell/

Wordpress websites:  http://seh030.blogs.bucknell.edu/

Wikipedia sites:
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Park