AsULearn to Canvas Comparison
The contents of this article represent our current understanding of the differences between Moodle and Canvas, which will evolve over time.
While no two learning management systems are alike, AsULearn (Moodle) and Canvas have overlapping tools, such as Page, Assignment, Quiz and Forum activities. However, the individual settings and features available within those activities and resources will be somewhat different.
The Great Migration
- Manual review required: You cannot "set and forget" a migrated course.Every activity resource and gradebook setting will need to be checked for accuracy and completeness.
- Data that will not transfer: Student data (grades, submissions, forum posts) and specific Moodle-only features (Glossaries, Databases, Workshops and Lessons), and content from 3rd-party External Tools will not migrate.
- Clean up for Accessibility first: Use the Brickfield Accessibility+ Toolkit in Moodle to address content accessibility before moving it.
Key Feature Comparisons
Feature | Status in Canvas | Notable Change |
Assignments | Migrates | Descriptions move, but "Instructions" and "Additional Files" may need manual re-linking. |
Attendance | Rebuild | Does not migrate; must be rebuilt using the "Roll Call" tool. Students cannot self-report attendance. |
Files & Folders | Migrates | Folders are converted into "Pages" with lists of links; original folder structures are lost in the main file area. |
Gradebook | Requires Setup | Moodle Gradebook "Categories" must be rebuilt as "Assignment Groups." Subcategories are not supported. |
Groups | Rebuild | Groups/Groupings do not migrate. Canvas groups are primarily for assignments/discussions and cannot restrict general content. |
Page | Migrates | Page resources will migrate directly into the Canvas Page resource. |
Quizzes | Migrates | Import as "Practice Quizzes" (ungraded) by default; must be manually changed to "Graded" to appear in the gradebook. |
Limitations and Differences
- Restricted access to course content: Canvas has fewer options than previously available in Moodle. You can restrict items by date or user, but not by grade performance or group membership.
- Version history: If a question in your Moodle bank has five versions, Canvas will import it as five separate, individual questions.
- Reporting latency: Unlike Moodle’s real-time logs, Canvas analytics have an average eight-hour delay. Instructors also have limited access to raw course logs.
- Third-party tools: Services like VitalSource, Kaltura, Hypothesis and VoiceThread remain available but must be manually reconnected to each course. Learn more in our short article on External Tools Currently Installed in Canvas.