Showbie: The Hybrid Learning Platform Transforming Modern Classrooms
Showbie has rapidly become one of the most influential digital learning platforms used in schools across the world. Designed to streamline classroom workflow, enhance assessment practices, and strengthen teacher–student engagement, Showbie stands at the forefront of hybrid learning innovation. Built for educators who wish to personalise feedback and reduce administrative burden, the platform offers a seamless blend of simplicity, flexibility, and powerful pedagogical tools. With its headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, and a foundation dating back to 2012, Showbie continues to evolve under the leadership of its co-founders Colin Bramm and Roy Pombeiro, who have been instrumental in shaping its vision and technological strength.
Understanding Showbie and Its Purpose
Showbie is a hybrid learning platform designed to manage classroom workflow, assignments, communication, and personalised feedback. It brings together the essential elements of teaching and learning into one user-friendly environment, enabling teachers to deliver instruction, provide feedback, track student progress, and support learners of all abilities.
In a world where digital tools increasingly shape education, Showbie provides a system that is both intuitive and deeply aligned with research-based pedagogy. Its tools mirror the natural rhythm of classroom activities: assigning work, collecting submissions, annotating documents, and offering feedback through voice, text, and multimedia formats. This makes it an exceptional solution for both in-person and remote learning scenarios.
Showbie’s Origins and Founders
The Vision of Colin Bramm

Showbie’s CEO and co-founder, Colin Bramm, launched the platform in 2012 with a mission to create technology that strengthens meaningful teacher–student connections. With a background in developing innovative tools for educators, Bramm aimed to address the gaps in digital learning by emphasising personalised feedback, streamlined workflow, and accessibility for all learners. His leadership has guided the company through major milestones, including the integration of the Socrative assessment platform and the expansion of Showbie into millions of classrooms worldwide.
The Technical Mastery of Roy Pombeiro

The technical backbone of Showbie is the work of Roy Pombeiro, the CTO and co-founder. Pombeiro developed the original Showbie iPad application and engineered the platform’s robust infrastructure using cloud-based architecture. His focus on reliability, usability, and secure data management has ensured that Showbie remains scalable, fast, and trusted by educators globally. Together, Bramm and Pombeiro have created a platform that bridges pedagogy with technology in a meaningful and accessible way.
Key Features and Specialities of Showbie
A Platform Built for Modern Learners
The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools carefully designed to support both teachers and students. Its core specialities include:
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Document Sharing: Teachers can distribute worksheets, notes, presentations, and multimedia files effortlessly.
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Classroom Management: Organise assignments, deadlines, class groups, and student work efficiently.
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Paperless Workflow: Reduce printing and streamline submission processes.
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Rich Feedback Tools: Provide handwritten annotations, voice notes, typed comments, and video responses.
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Collaborative Learning: Students can work together using shared files and group projects.
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Personalised Feedback: Adapt support for individual learning styles and needs.
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Teacher Tools and EdTech Integration: Designed to support formative assessment, differentiation, and structured learning practices.
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Tablet and iPad Compatibility: Initially built for iPad classrooms, but now optimised across all major devices.
These specialties highlight why Showbie is praised as a “pedtech” (pedagogically aligned technology) platform—it enhances teaching without overwhelming users with technical complexity.
Showbie’s Organisational Identity
Founded and Headquarters
Founded in 2012, the company operates from its headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Over the years, it has evolved from a small EdTech start-up into a globally recognised brand, supporting schools, districts, and educational institutions across the world.
How Showbie Enhances Teaching and Learning
Improving Classroom Workflow
The platform removes the need for physical paperwork by offering a fully digital workspace where assignments can be distributed, completed, and reviewed in one central location. This streamlined system saves valuable time for teachers and creates a more organised, transparent learning experience for students.
Supporting Hybrid and Remote Learning
The platform integrates smoothly across classroom, home, and blended learning environments. Lessons, assignments, and feedback can be delivered either asynchronously or in real time, making it ideal for today’s flexible educational models.
Building Stronger Teacher–Student Relationships
The ability to use voice notes, handwritten feedback, and multimedia tools enables teachers to communicate in more personal and expressive ways. Students benefit from tailored guidance, which fosters motivation and deeper learning.
Promoting Student Autonomy and Creativity
Showbie supports a wide range of student-created content such as essays, drawings, videos, podcasts, presentations, and photos. This flexibility helps students demonstrate their understanding in the ways that suit them best.
Enhancing Assessment and Progress Tracking
Through integrated tools such as Socrative, teachers can conduct quick assessments and receive instant, data-rich insights to inform instruction, identify learning gaps, and adjust teaching strategies accordingly.
Why Showbie Stands Out in the EdTech World
User-Friendly Design
Showbie is widely appreciated for its clean, intuitive interface. Teachers can learn to use it quickly, making adoption smoother in busy school environments.
Device Versatility
Although initially created for iPads, the platform is now fully compatible with Chromebooks, laptops, and desktop computers, ensuring accessibility across a wide range of learning environments.
Rich Feedback Advantage
Few platforms offer the variety of annotation options that Showbie provides. This makes feedback more meaningful, memorable, and effective for deeper learning.
Supports Inclusive Education
Showbie caters to all learning abilities. Visual learners, auditory learners, English language learners, and students with additional support needs can all benefit from its multimodal feedback tools.
The Future of Showbie
With continuous growth and development, Showbie is shaping the future of digital education. Its founders remain committed to enhancing pedagogical effectiveness through technology. By combining classroom workflow management with evidence-based feedback features, the platform promises to remain a leader in the EdTech space for years to come.
Quick Info
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Platform Name | Showbie |
| Type | Hybrid Learning Platform / Classroom Workflow System |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Colin Bramm (CEO), Roy Pombeiro (CTO) |
| Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Website | https://www.showbie.com |
| Industry | E-learning / EdTech |
| Key Specialties | Document Sharing, Classroom Management, Paperless Workflow, iPad & Tablet Tools, Rich Feedback, Collaborative Learning, Personalised Feedback, EdTech, PedTech |
| Core Features | Assignment Workflow, Multimedia Submission, Annotation Tools, Voice Notes, Real-Time Assessment (via Socrative), Student Progress Tracking |
| Primary Users | K–12 Teachers & Students |
| Strengths | Easy-to-use, Personalised Feedback, Hybrid Learning Support, Device Compatibility |
| Purpose | Empower teachers, enhance feedback, streamline classroom workflow |
Conclusion: Showbie as a Catalyst for Better Learning
Showbie is far more than a simple learning management system—it is a dynamic educational ecosystem. Through the innovative vision of Colin Bramm and the technical expertise of Roy Pombeiro, the platform has transformed how teachers and students interact, collaborate, and grow. Its powerful set of specialties—ranging from personalised feedback to paperless workflow—makes it an indispensable tool for modern classrooms.
With its strong foundation, growing user base, and commitment to pedagogical alignment, Showbie continues to empower schools worldwide to embrace hybrid learning and deliver high-quality, accessible education to every learner.



