YOUNGSTERS shared ideas and sought advice from a robot as part of an innovative project to encourage independent learning.

The robot, known as the Beam, helped pupils at Greenfield Community College in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, as they worked in small groups to answer a set question using the internet.

Created by Suitable Technologies, the Beam features a live webcam and can be controlled remotely to allow people of all backgrounds anywhere in the world to move around the classroom and pass on knowledge, experience and guidance to children.

Aidan Wong, 13, said: “The robot is really cool. I think it’s good because you get to control the way you learn. I like the questions where there is no right or wrong answer as you get to express your opinions.”

The robot is the latest development in School in the Cloud, a concept devised by Newcastle University education specialist Professor Sugata Mitra, who believes children can teach themselves and each other if motivated by curiosity and their peers.

In February, Greenfield, which is one of only seven schools in the world taking part in the project, opened a £30,000 learning lab called Room 13 to provide an inspiring environment for children to work independently.