Freerice

A rice bowl on a globe, filling up every 50 grains

Freerice is an online educational game and crowdsourcing project aimed at providing free education to everyone and helping to end world hunger. It was originally created by John Breen in 2007 and has since been supported and maintained by various organizations, including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The primary objective of Freerice is to enable players to learn various subjects while simultaneously donating rice to people in need through the ad revenues generated by the site.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Freerice is simple yet engaging. Players are presented with a series of multiple-choice questions on a wide range of subjects, including English vocabulary, mathematics, languages, geography, science, and more. For each question answered correctly, Freerice donates a specific amount of rice to the WFP. The rice is paid for by the website's advertisers, making it possible for players to contribute to a charitable cause without any cost to themselves.

Impact

Since its inception, Freerice has had a significant impact on both education and hunger relief. It has been used by teachers in classrooms to enhance students' learning in a fun and interactive way, while also instilling in them a sense of social responsibility. The donations generated by the game have contributed to feeding millions of people across the globe, particularly in regions affected by poverty and famine.

Development and Ownership

Freerice has undergone several changes in ownership and development since its launch. Initially created by John Breen, the website was later donated to the WFP in 2009. The WFP has since developed a mobile app version of the game, making it more accessible to a wider audience. The platform has been updated periodically to improve user experience and expand the range of subjects offered.

Educational Value

One of the key aspects of Freerice is its educational value. The game is designed to adapt to the player's level of knowledge, increasing in difficulty as the player answers more questions correctly. This adaptive learning approach helps players to gradually improve their skills in various subjects. Additionally, Freerice provides immediate feedback on answers, allowing players to learn from their mistakes and enhance their understanding of the subject matter.

Social Impact

Freerice's model of combining education with philanthropy has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to addressing global issues. By leveraging the power of the internet and gamification, Freerice has created a sustainable and impactful way to contribute to the fight against hunger while promoting education.

See Also

• United Nations World Food Programme
• Educational technology
• Crowdsourcing
• Gamification