How can we as teachers enhance student motivation and engagement?

Something that has really challenged me this week is student motivation.  

• Do students believe they can achieve (i.e. that their effort can impact on outcome; intelligence/ability is not something that is fixed from birth - see Dwek etc)

• Do they feel what they are learning matters? Is it related to them and to the real world?

• How can they share what they are learning? 

• Do they have opportunities to experience success? 

• What can I/others do/say to help them feel/enjoy this success?

• How can I provide for and listen to students' voices? How can I give them a REAL say in what and how they learn?

• What can I do as a teacher to engage them? What tools do I have? e.g. build relationships; bring in humour; use a variety of stimulus which connects to the real world; encourage positive connections with others; set up tasks which allow students to connect with others; knowing students' interests and planning learning accordingly; help students direct their own learning (e.g. by being able and competent in accessing digital devices; peer/teacher/community coaches; other resources)

• How can I use the space to invite them into learning? What choices of space exist (quiet, conversation-filled  solitary, collaborative,); what environmental stimulus increase motivation; how can change re-energise students(e.g. change in seating arrangements; bringing in different resources/stimulus)

• What phrases/words can I use to help students feel successful and motivate students? What phrases do I need to STOP using? Pages 8 on module 2 and module 4 are my key take aways, and the phrases I aim to start using more of in learning! 

So many times I hear "I'm no good at..." or "I don't do....". I also see students who get busy with things (sorting stationery, going to the bathroom) - how can we help these students feel successful and be motivated to take on new challenges? There are others who choose not to participate at all in the learning, and so miss out on both skill development and the confidence bonus that follows. I tell students I believe in them; I say there is no such word as can't but instead we can say 'I can try,'; I work with each child to help them find the resources, spaces,the peers that may help their motivation. Yet I don't manage to motivate every child every time...what can I do to change this?

Presentations from Students at the Center outlined some of the things I need to keep in mind every day and every session of learning:

I also really enjoyed watching this WKCD.ORG clip. How do I, and we as teachers provide for these things in school learning, and during every learning session?