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Whether we're talking about politics or the animal kingdom, learning something new can require a fair amount of time and effort. Luckily, we don't always have to read lengthy scientific papers. Some people do it for us. And not only that — they narrow down everything to a few bullet points and illustrate them to help our minds remember.

And if you want a place that stores these effective tools, look no further than the subreddit r/CoolGuides. As the name suggests, it collects picture-based reference guides for pretty much anything and everything.

"If it seems like something someone might print, physically post, and reference then it is a good link for this sub," its moderators write in its 'About' section.

Continue scrolling to check out some recent posts that garnered a lot of attention within this online community and if you find yourself hooked, fire up Bored Panda's earlier publication on it too.

#1

Opossums Are Our Friends

Opossums Are Our Friends

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Sabse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need them. Now! 😄 We do not have these cute pest controllers.

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#2

How To Treat People With Dementia

How To Treat People With Dementia

Sabyn123 Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should be higher up. We all have or will be in contact with someone with alzheimers.

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Dana Jandhyala, who has had a long career as an educator where she has taught in different schools and institutes, believes that visuals hold more appeal than plain text to curious and intuitive minds.

"Till date, several studies have been conducted which prove the power of visual aids in eLearning," she wrote. "And there are some interesting results drawn from them. Such as, learners respond to visual information faster as compared to text-only materials. Also, visuals help improve learning tremendously and on multiple levels. Hence, around 65% of the population comprises visual learners."

#3

This Library Hung A Dewey Decimal Reference Sign For “Everything You Want To Know, But Don’t Really Want To Ask”

This Library Hung A Dewey Decimal Reference Sign For “Everything You Want To Know, But Don’t Really Want To Ask”

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Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That really made my day, just love this - especially the sentence at the bottom. 🙏

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#4

Simple Trick For Calculating Percentage

Simple Trick For Calculating Percentage

Alexray1 Report

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Olivia Lisbon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this realization on my own. I’m crap at maths, it was the best feeling!

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Jandhyala said there are several advantages of visual aids:

They help store information longer. "Images are the simplest and the most effective way to make sure that the information gets stored as long-term memory. As per Dr. Lynell Burmark, an education consultant, our short term memory processes words and can only retain about seven bits of information. Whereas, images are directly processed by our long-term memory, where they get indelibly etched."

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They make communication quicker and simpler. "Information listed in bullets is no doubt simpler to process. But, that same information in the form of an image or a video is processed even more quickly."

As per the Visual Teaching Alliance:

  • Of all the information transmitted to the brain, 90% is visual;
  • As opposed to text, visuals are processed 60,000x faster;
  • Humans are capable of getting the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10th of a second;
  • 40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina;
  • Our brain can see images that last for only 13 milliseconds;
  • The human eye can register 36,000 visual messages every hour;
  • Hence, the eLearning programs which incorporate suitable visuals gain a higher preference over.
#6

The 3/3/3 Rule

The 3/3/3 Rule

regian24 Report

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Monty Is Fiennes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if there has been abuse of any kind it may much longer to complete phase 3...

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#7

It's Either This, Or Pupper Mittens. Bernie Votes Mittens

It's Either This, Or Pupper Mittens. Bernie Votes Mittens

LA_Grip Report

Visuals aid better comprehension. "They help learners grasp concepts easily by stimulating imagination and affecting their cognitive capabilities. Besides, the visual language is also known to have the potential to stretch 'human bandwidth' – which comprises absorbing, comprehending and analyzing new information."

Visuals act as stimulators for emotions. "Emotions and visual information are processed in the same part of the human brain. Visual stimuli and emotional response are linked in a simple way and these two together generate what we call memories. Hence, powerful images and visual metaphors create strong impressions and lasting memories in learners."

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They drive motivation. "Most of the students struggle with some of their subjects because they find them uninteresting and hence lack the motivation to put in the required efforts. Visuals are the best bet in such scenarios. Captivating images, engaging videos, interesting infographics, etc. help learners fight the boredom and motivate them to do better."

So it very well might be that the things you'll learn from these guides will stay with you. At least for a little while.

#8

Useful Info

Useful Info

_Jack_Of_All_Spades Report

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Chich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took a 2yr tech course and ended up making more than friends who got a degree..

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#10

How To Retain Employees. A Lot Of Companies Need This Guide

How To Retain Employees. A Lot Of Companies Need This Guide

Working_Class_Pride Report

#11

Different Street Light Designs To Minimize Light Pollution

Different Street Light Designs To Minimize Light Pollution

Narendra_17 Report

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NsG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! Direct the light to where it's needed. This doesn't just impede views of the night sky - poorly thought out infrastructure can put streetlights directly outside bedroom windows and blackout blinds can be expensive.

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#13

Tips For Police Encounters

Tips For Police Encounters

Gullible-Pear9565 Report

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Jodie Kavanagh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where's the educational flier for the police? 1. Do not violate a person's civil rights. 2. ....

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#14

A Guide To Cat Body Language

A Guide To Cat Body Language

notlikelyevil Report

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Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not believe the so called “trusting” one, we all know it’s a trap.

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#15

Why You Shouldn’t Give Up When Starting Something New

Why You Shouldn’t Give Up When Starting Something New

tropicalsquash Report

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Jerry Mathers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This what millions of antivaxers are experiencing right now. They feel informed because they did internet research. Or because they are a nurse. Or because they know someone who backs up their opinion. They don't even know how much they don't know. To me, the scariest part of being in the US right now is how willing people are to take their opinion as a fact and use groupthink as a form of confirmation. Thousands of people who studied the subject for 8 years and currently work in the field are saying one thing while the other side has Timmy, the YouTube video maker talking to a guy that used to work at company and got fired is saying another. And somehow the thought process is the video is right. That is scary

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#16

Interesting Visual About Genetic Similarities

Interesting Visual About Genetic Similarities

Medium-Comparison-34 Report

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Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, let's face it, there are many times we feel like mushrooms. Kept in the dark and fed s**t!

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#17

Know Your Wetlands. Posted To A Wildlife Management Facebook Group Probably Posted Somewhere Else Before But Not Here

Know Your Wetlands. Posted To A Wildlife Management Facebook Group Probably Posted Somewhere Else Before But Not Here

FioDC Report

#18

Tally Marks Are Different Around The World

Tally Marks Are Different Around The World

ineptnoob Report

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Hermione
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this. Had only ever done the left and never thought there were alternatives.

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#19

How Taxes Work

How Taxes Work

regian24 Report

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ejfs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is actually really useful. Although I assume the brackets differ between countries.

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#21

Happiness Chemicals In The Brain And How To Activate Them

Happiness Chemicals In The Brain And How To Activate Them

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#22

I Spent Forever Looking For A "Grid Pattern" Shirt Before I Found This

I Spent Forever Looking For A "Grid Pattern" Shirt Before I Found This

i-am-a-potatoo Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "intersections" in the plaid one seem to be flickering. Optical illusions are fun.

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ToGo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those of you who call Tartan "Plaid", please take note.

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Elsker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thought this houndstooth was pied-de-poule?.. funny to know:)

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Holly Marley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This graphic is slightly misleading because it leaves out any explanation. A "tartan" is a specific design of colors to identify clans and families of Scotland (or recognized groups such as the Black Watch.) A "tartan plaid" is simply a design of colors with no specific meaning. So tartan is a -type- of plaid. Same with gingham, btw, it is a type of plaid.

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Marnie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are all awful. Everyone should wear solid black at all times ;-)

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iBlank
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

barleycorn and sharkskin is like iphone 12 and iphone 13

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#23

Plant Watering Guide

Plant Watering Guide

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true. It depends on the type of plant. If it's a deciduous plant, you risk drowning it with overwater / waterlogging. Similarly if it is a succulent. You need to look at the leaf type to determine how much water to provide. Assuming a pot plant: waxy leaves, thicker than paper: 1 cup every three days papery thin leaves, dry/papery surface: ½ cup every two days or ¼ cup every day thick fleshy leaves: ½ cup once a week etc.

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#26

Great One If You're Starting To Learn Music Notation

Great One If You're Starting To Learn Music Notation

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#27

Saying "I Ain't Doing That For Free" Differently

Saying "I Ain't Doing That For Free" Differently

beybabooba Report

#28

Different Types Of Sleeves

Different Types Of Sleeves

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#31

Here’s For Understanding What Your Car’s Trying To Tell You

Here’s For Understanding What Your Car’s Trying To Tell You

TitanicsAnInsideJob Report

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Terilee Bruyere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son once asked me what the jellyfish meant. High beams, he was talking about my high beams XD (he was 6 at the time).

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#36

Know Your Window Types!

Know Your Window Types!

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#37

The Amount Of Snow It Takes To Cancel School By County

The Amount Of Snow It Takes To Cancel School By County

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#38

How To Choose Your Colour Palette

How To Choose Your Colour Palette

PigsFlyOnMars Report

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ejfs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or....simply wear what you enjoy wearing and f*** anyone else's opinion.

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#39

Map Of The Us States That Pays More Tax Than What They Receive From The Government, Courtesy Of Cgp Grey

Map Of The Us States That Pays More Tax Than What They Receive From The Government, Courtesy Of Cgp Grey

glizzyMaster108 Report

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Limey Cheesehead
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it amazing that the states that take more tax tend to the ones with the most conservative voters...except Texas & Florida, which was a pleasant surprise.

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#40

Estimated Caffeine By Type Of Drink!

Estimated Caffeine By Type Of Drink!

stockyman Report

Note: this post originally had 87 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.