I have a class of 28 students and I am trying desperately hard to make what we do relevant and interesting to them. It strikes me that there are two things that we can do to improve that way this site connects with our students. Firstly, the constant connection to a big idea eg authority or lawlessness or speculation tends to work. The students these days can understand the big idea as long as it connects to their world in some way through aiding them to understand the big concept. Secondly, the comparative approach by linking what is happening overseas with what is happening in New Zealand. The new curriculum is written with the phrase 'of significance to New Zealand' which from my reading can be interpreted in both directions. The abolition of slavery for example, strikes me as a very important strand in the humanitarian movement's lobby to consider the needs of the Maori in the lead-up to the Treaty

. I think the site needs more unpacking of big ideas and more connection with overseas.