OVERVIEW
As SFU transitions from Canvas On-Premise to Canvas Cloud, this guide is designed to support faculty and staff in understanding the key changes, new features, and functional differences between the two platforms. Whether you're preparing for upcoming courses or exploring new tools, this document provides a clear comparison to help you navigate the shift with confidence.
You'll find detailed overviews of enhanced capabilities such as New Quizzes and New Analytics, as well as side-by-side tables outlining differences in access, navigation, course features, and compliance. This resource aims to ensure a smooth and informed transition for all SFU educators and support staff.
Note: Canvas Cloud is currently in the pilot stage. Settings may differ on the official launch in January 2026.
KEY FEATURES
The following highlights key features now available to SFU as part of the transition to Canvas Cloud:
NEW QUIZZES
New Quizzes is a quiz engine that integrates with Canvas and replaces the classic quizzes functionality currently existing in Canvas.
New Quizzes includes:
- Enhanced user interface for quiz building
- New question types (e.g., hotspot, categorization, ordering)
- Partial credit on multiple choice questions
- Printing (e.g., print blank quizzes or with answers)
- Item bank searching and filtering
- Option to require a waiting period between attempts
- Option to show an on-screen calculator
- More granular shuffling options
- Additional features on student moderations and accommodations
- Additional features on reporting and analytics
For more information, visit Instructure’s webpage: What is New Quizzes?
For a detailed list of feature comparison on Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes, visit Instructure’s documentation: Quizzes Feature Comparison
NOTE
- You can convert a Classic Quizzes into New Quizzes. Once a classic quiz converted, it cannot be reverted. On the Quizzes page, select on a classic quiz, then Migrate to convert.
- New Quizzes do not have a survey feature at this time. If you need this feature, continue using Classic Quizzes until the vendor implements this feature.
- Item Bank (newer version of Question Bank) is intended to be used with New Quizzes. Question Bank is only compatible with Classic Quizzes.
NEW ANALYTICS
New Analytics provides interactive graphs and tables that allow instructors and students to track data related to course grades, activity, and communication.
New Analytics enables:
- Instructors to track student grades, submission status, weekly course activity, individual student participation, and online attendance. There are also built-in features to message students based on their submission status or grade.
- Students to view and download data about their course grades, weekly online activity, and Inbox communication.
For more information, visit Instructure’s webpage: What is New Analytics?
DIFFERENCES COMPARISON
= Available = Partially or significantly different = Not available
ACCESS AND COURSE CREATION
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CANVAS ON-PREMISE |
CANVAS CLOUD |
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Canvas Weblink (URL)
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canvas.sfu.ca
canvas-old.sfu.ca (Starting late Dec 2025)
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canvas-new.sfu.ca (temporary)
canvas.sfu.ca (Starting late Dec 2025)
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Canvas Mobile
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(In late Dec 2025, all mobile users will be asked to re-sign in)
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QR for Mobile Login
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“Start a New Course” Tool
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Available starting October 2025
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Credit Course Shell Creation
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Request using the “Start a New Course” Tool
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Request no longer required.
Course shells will automatically be created at the beginning of the previous semester.
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Canvas Commons
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with a US database
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with a Canadian database
Available content will be different.
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Canvas Spaces
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Retired in 2024.
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No longer available.
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Access Tokens
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NAVIGATION AND USER FEATURES
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CANVAS ON-PREMISE |
CANVAS CLOUD |
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Recent History
Quickly navigate to previously visited pages on Canvas.
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Setting: Disable Celebration Animations
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Setting: Disable Keyboard Shortcuts
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Setting: Dyslexia Friendly Font
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Notification: Reported Reply (for instructors)
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COURSE FEATURES
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CANVAS ON-PREMISE |
CANVAS CLOUD |
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New Quizzes
A new quiz engine that integrates with Canvas.
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Available as Classic Quizzes
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New Analytics
Provides interactive graphs and tables that allow instructors and students to track data related to course grades, activity, and communication.
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Enhanced Rubric
Provides visual and functional enhancements to Rubrics.
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Discussion Summaries (AI)
Uses a generative AI model to provide instructors summaries of key points, questions, and ideas in a discussion thread.
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Under review
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Course Pacing
Defines a pace in which students must complete course tasks.
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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DocViewer
A tool that allows annotations on uploaded online assignment submissions.
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A custom document preview tool is used.
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Now built-in.
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Differentiation Tags
Label students or groups based on learning needs, styles, or interests. Can be used with the "Assign To" feature.
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Item Bank
Provides visual and functional enhancements to Question Bank.
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Available as Question Bank which is compatible with Classic Quizzes.
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Item Bank is available to use with New Quizzes.
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Discussion: Enhancements
Including Sorting, Marking as Read, Copy Link, Quote Reply.
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Discussion: Anonymous Replies
Discussions and replies can be anonymous when set up by the instructor.
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Discussion: Report Inappropriate
Students can report inappropriate replies which notify the instructor.
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SCORM LTI
Used for importing SCORM files such as assignments or item banks.
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Default due time
Sets the default time of day when setting due dates.
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Custom Course Alerts
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Etherpad
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Only as a standalone tool. Integration is not available.
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SpeedGrader
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Mastery Paths
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Outcomes
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Learning Mastery Gradebook (for Outcomes)
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Needs to be enabled in course settings
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No longer needs enabling
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SECURITY, PRIVACY AND COMPLIANCE
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CANVAS ON-PREMISE |
CANVAS CLOUD |
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Server Location
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SFU’s Datacenter
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Instructure’s Datacenter (Canada)
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LTI installation
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No restrictions
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Restricted to EduApp Center.
Custom LTI installation need approval from IT Services.
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Course Storage Quota
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5 GB
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0.5 GB
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Personal Storage Quota
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1 GB
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0.05 GB
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Group Storage Quota
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1 GB
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0.05 GB
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Course Retention
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Not Set
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TBD
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Maintenance Window
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Ad-hoc, as needed.
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1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:05 a.m. to 2:05 a.m. PST (UTC –8)
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Note: Canvas Cloud is currently in the pilot stage. Settings may differ on the official launch in January 2026.