Every now and then you come across a unique idea which combines two things not normally associated with each other. FreeRice is a great example; it combines learning vocabulary with fighting world hunger. Not something you expect to find every day.
The idea is simple: the website uses advertising at the bottom to provide revenue. Visitors answer vocabulary questions and for every one they get correct the site donates ten grains of rice to the World Food Programme. I achieved a vocabulary level of 38 or 39 out of 50 the few times I played. The last word I missed was “morel“. (Does that sound like a mushroom to you?) But missing a word doesn’t matter; you just learn the answer and continue on your way.
I haven’t decided yet what I think of it. Food aid can be both a blessing and a curse for countries, depending on how it is bought and distributed. I am glad to see that FreeRice supports the World Food Programme. As I understand, the WFP tries to buy grain in-country to prevent unbalancing local grain markets.
Whatever I think of food aid, the concept of FreeRice is fascinating for several reasons. It demonstrates the power of online advertising. It links vocabulary and world hunger. And it has generated an impressive amount of food aid in the one month it has existed. We’ll see where it goes.
Tags: food aid, FreeRice, hunger, vocabulary, World Food Programme
If you use Firefox or Seamonkey, perhaps you’ll find this extension I typed out recently useful.. it’s to keep track of your Vocab Level at freerice.com
http://ttechnotes.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/rice-count/