What drives a student to remain engaged in a SELF DIRECTED activity?

I believe that what drives a student is his emotions..  I believe that you get involved when the task you are doing becomes meaningful to you, not only at the intellectual level but also at the emotional level.   If I look at the elements that need to be in place in my classroom  for this 'engagement' to take place, I need to:
1. listen to my students:  who are they, what are they saying?  what are they interested in?  How do they feel about what?
2.  relate to their world using  my imagination as a teacher.  I need to CREATE CONNECTIONS.

3. Finally I need to give them a choice, make them OWN their project.