I am trying to access the raw spatial, visual, and textual data stored within StoryMap items, particularly areas drawn in an Express Map. I am doing research using Story Maps and asking new GIS users to make Story Maps that include areas drawn around particular places (in Express Maps) along with associated images and written narratives about each place. I really value the user-friendliness of Story Maps because they effectively, and importantly, streamline the process of combining spatial, visual, and textual data for new GIS users by removing many of the barriers to multi-step GIS processes.
My understanding is that areas drawn in an Express Map are simple map graphics stored within a "StoryMap" item in My Content on ArcGIS Online. Is there any information associated with these graphics (e.g., geographic coordinates and area measurements) that I could somehow access? Or, is there a way to access these graphics to effectively convert them into shapefiles? Or, is there another Story Map workflow that I could use to facilitate new GIS users in drawing areas, along with associated images and narratives, that would not add too many steps or sacrifice the user-friendliness of an Express Map? Thank you so much for any help!
