Instructor Notes

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Data from U.S. Census BureauModule Overview

Acquiring Raster Data using Imagery Databases

Acquiring Vector Datasets from Data Repositories

Field-based Data CollectionModule Overview

QField Training: Mapping Grocery Stores to Identify Potential Food Deserts

Network Analysis for Grocery Access in QGIS

Instructor notes

Suggested pacing

  • Introduction and setup: 10 minutes
  • Data inspection and projection: 15 minutes
  • Shortest path analysis: 20 minutes
  • Service area analysis: 15 minutes
  • Discussion and interpretation: 10 minutes
  • Challenge and troubleshooting time: 15 minutes

Keep the lesson focused on one clear idea: network distance differs from straight-line distance. Learners already collected grocery store data in the previous lesson, so the sequel should emphasize analytical payoff.

Common learner problems

  • layers are not projected consistently
  • grocery points do not sit close enough to the road network
  • road network is clipped too tightly and breaks valid routes
  • learners confuse service areas with buffers
  • outputs are saved as temporary layers and then lost

Good extension ideas

  • compare shortest versus fastest paths
  • build a small housing-origin layer and use a many-to-one routing workflow
  • compare service areas across different travel thresholds
  • discuss whether a road network is an appropriate proxy for pedestrian access