To move beyond traditional online lectures, we propose an innovative approach in which slides are replaced by real-time hand movements filmed by a camera. The moving hands manipulate objects to convey learning content. The iterative design of the course is described, and three challenges are highlighted: technical optimisation, the teacher’s cognitive load and note-taking. Student evaluations conducted over three years shows a majority of satisfied learners, while also highlights the difficulties of dealing with a course without prior slides. Solutions to this problem are currently being worked on.