Portfolios are a great concept for students to not only display their work but an opportunity for students to see their academic growth.

Encouragement can go along way for student empowerment 

Great info about the realities of different learning styles and the need to be adaptable to connect with and provide best learning environment for our students.

Students outside life can alter how they feel about their advancement in the classroom, so as the professor it is important to remind students about their overall goals and plans for achievement. 

The more students can understand how the course work relates to personal life and overall outcome, the more vested and empowered they will be.

I am certain that it would help some students, it seems like it would only benefit those who already have a drive to learn. For students who have little or no self-improvement drive, I am not sure that this would provide much of an increase. They might appreciate the time spent on practical projects, but the issue is that they might not perform the external work.

I am already familiar with gamification, and I have used may different aspects of it. Badges, Boss Battles, and Rankings can be useful tools.

Having people from the field is an important motivator.

Fun activities, discussions, and I as the instructor bringing real world scenarios to the classroom are ways I like to engage my students in the classroom. It helps that I truly love the field I am in, and I have a lot of enthusiasm to share with my students. 

Create an emotional awareness with each student.   Do your best to gain knowledge about each students background to build relation.