Teaching & Learning Resources

Fall 2025 Canvas Updates

Written by

Shannon Hauser

Published on

August 21, 2025

Smart Search: This feature allows you to search the course for specific content. It uses AI to do this search which is different from a “literal” search using a typical search engine.
Files Page Redesign: This makes the files page easier to use. This document on the File Page Redesign gives more information.
Migrate Classic Quizzes and Question Banks with Course Import Tool : You can easily migrate your current Classic Quizzes and Question Banks to the New Quizzes and Item Bank format when you use the Course Copy feature.
Manage Student Result View in New Quizzes: you can set when and what results students can view in New Quizzes. This feature helps instructors enhance learning by timing feedback to reinforce understanding, encourage independent learning, and address academic integrity.
Dyslexia Friendly Font (User Setting): This allows individual users to change the font in Canvas to the OpenDyslexia Font. This is only a setting for individual users, not your course. However, if you want to make use of this font in your course, if the feature is disabled, both OpenDyslexic and OpenDyslexic Mono are available as font options within the Rich Content Editor.

Accessibility guidance for UMW Faculty
Currently in procurement process for YuJa Panorama. This tool will help with more robust accessibility checking as well as assisting in remediation.
Fundamentals of Accessible Digital Content in Canvas” – This training is available inside Canvas through the Training Services Portal. If you have not accessed the training portal previously you can follow the instructions on the accessing the training portal guide.
Using the Accessibility Checker in Canvas – This guide covers how to access and use the built-in accessibility checker inside Canvas
Canvas Course Accessibility Checklist [PDF] – This checklist created by Instructure covers many of the foundational and common accessibility issues in Canvas courses. The accessibility checklist is also available as a google doc.