Students even adult students are often excited when you provide small rewards for expected content. For example, although, the students are required to complete all the projects in the lab to pass the course the days that you offer a piece of candy or bag of chips for every project finished are often the most focused and productive. Although not long term motivational tools the students seem to enjoy the treat and don't even realize that they worked 20% harder that day. Even though the money for the treats comes out of my pocket I think it's well worth it. Definetley breaks up the "hum and drum" for many of the students.