Information Technology supports the use of varied collaboration tools, including Teams, Zoom and Canvas. This article compares features and capabilities to help you choose the tool that best meets your needs. Further consultation is also available from IT. 

  • Access

    TeamsZoomCanvas
    Web - Login with WPI Credentials https://portal.office.com https://wpi.zoom.us https://canvas.wpi.edu 
    Desktop App - Login with WPI Credentials https://hub.wpi.edu/article/315 https://hub.wpi.edu/article/585/download-zoom-on-personal-machine Has mobile app for iPhone and Android
    Guests Owner can add/invite Meeting host can add On a case-by-case basis 
    AccessibilityASL visibility features, live closed captions (US only), and Immersive ReaderTranscripts, captioning, keyboard shortcuts, screen reader supportMS Immersive Reader, high contrast UI, underline links, keyboard shortcuts, screen reader support
  • Meetings

    TeamsZoomCanvas
    Meet directly in Teams or access Zoom from TeamsSchedule meetings and on a case-by-case basis webinarsCan schedule Zoom meetings through Zoom app and Teams meetings through Calendar (rich content editor)
    AttendanceYesLimited (see Collaboration Features)Yes
    Breakout RoomsYesYes
    Record MeetingYesYes
    Screen Sharing/Control SharingYesYes
    Transcript of MeetingYes Yes
    WebinarYes On a case-by-case basis
    WhiteboardYesYes
    Meeting ChatYesYes
  • Collaboration Features

    TeamsZoomCanvas
    Access other AppsYesNoYes
    App sharingYesYesNo
    Document co-authoringYesNoYes
    File Storage/Access MaterialsYesNo1 GB of storage, expandable through integrated services
    PollingYesYes (can be used for attendance)Yes through Surveys
  • Class Features

    TeamsZoomCanvas
    Assignments/QuizzesYesNoYes
    GradingYesNoYes
    Private WorkspaceYesNoYes
  • Unique Features

    TeamsZoomCanvas
    Easily integrates with Microsoft 365 apps, as well as others.Zoom integrates into several tools including Teams, Canvas, Slack. Schedule Zoom meetings in Canvas on students’ Canvas Calendar & To Do List. Video streaming & web conferencing services integrated into Canvas (Zoom, Echo360, Ensemble, Studio) 
    Synchronous file access and editing Zoom recordings can be automatically ported to WPI cloud services Echo360 and Ensemble. Advanced grading tools (automation, grade release, weighting, audio and video feedback) 
    Perform most functions from computer or mobile device with web connection.Discussion forums 
    Group Assignments
    Custom access (open and close course, custom assignment dates and roles) 
    Chronological organization and content release in Modules