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 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
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 January 2026)
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Sfu.instructure.com (temporary)
Canvas.sfu.ca (Starting January 2026)
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Canvas Mobile
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Available
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Available (All users will be asked to sign in)
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QR for Mobile Login
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Not available
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Available
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“Start a New Course” Tool
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Available
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Available
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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.
Will automatically be created at the beginning of the previous semester.
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Canvas Commons
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Available, but with a US database
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Available, but with a Canadian database
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Canvas Spaces
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Available
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Not available
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Access Tokens
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Available
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Available
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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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Not available
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Available
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Setting: Disable Celebration Animations
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Not available
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Available
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Setting: Disable Keyboard Shortcuts
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Not available
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Available
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Setting: Dyslexia Friendly Font
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Not available
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Available
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Notification: Reported Reply (for instructors)
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Not available
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Available
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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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Classic Quizzes is available.
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Available
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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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Not available
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Available
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Enhanced Rubric
Provides visual and functional enhancements to Rubrics.
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Not available
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Available
*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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Not available
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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Course Pacing
Defines a pace in which students must complete course tasks.
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Not available
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Available
*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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Predoc is available.
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Predoc is replaced by a built-in Canvas feature, DocViewer.
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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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Not available
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Available
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Item Bank
Provides visual and functional enhancements to Question Bank.
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Question Bank is available to use 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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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Available
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Discussion: Anonymous Replies
Discussions and replies can be anonymous when set up by the instructor.
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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Available
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Discussion: Report Inappropriate
Students can report inappropriate replies which notify the instructor.
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Not available
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Available
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SCORM LTI
Used for importing SCORM files such as assignments or item banks.
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Not available
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Available
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Default due time
Sets the default time of day when setting due dates.
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Not available
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Available
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Custom Course Alerts
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Available
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Not available
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Etherpad
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Available
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Not available
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SpeedGrader
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Available
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Available
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Mastery Paths
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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Outcomes
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Available
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Available
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Learning Mastery Gradebook (for Outcomes)
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Available
*Needs to be enabled in course settings
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Available
*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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TBD
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Course Storage Quota
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5 GB
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0.5GB
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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.