handsonly

Handsonly is a term used to describe approaches, activities, or products that emphasize manual or experiential interaction rather than passive or digital-only methods. The exact meaning varies by context, but it generally signals a hands-on, tactile, or practical orientation.

In education and training, handsonly (or the related hands-on) describes curricula and activities that require learners to perform tasks, manipulate materials, or solve problems through direct experience rather than lecture alone. In branding and product naming, handsonly is often chosen to convey simplicity, accessibility, and an emphasis on real-world manipulation of objects or systems.

There is no single formal definition or governing body for the term, and it does not correspond to a standardized category in major dictionaries. Instead, its meaning is inferred from how it is used—often as a descriptive label in marketing, instructional design, or policy materials. In medical contexts, the more common term is hands-only (as in Hands-Only CPR), which is sometimes concatenated in branding materials but remains distinct from the general concept of hands-on learning.

Related concepts include hands-on learning, experiential education, and tactile or manual approaches to training and skill development.