A study of the diverse student learning styles and its relationship with student motivation in the classroom has been presented. The significance of an awareness and understanding of different types of learners is emphasized. The methods or activities suggested by researchers to accommodate the needs of diverse learners are presented. A few novel activities that have been used in both small and large engineering classes are presented. The use of models and animations for visual learning and a simulation game for active / kinaesthetic learning has been discussed. The benefits of these interventions and the associated limitations are also discussed. It is suggested that similar activities if planned carefully for the different types of leaners, even in a few sessions, can significantly increase the students’ motivation in the classroom. The cultural differences between the students in the west and their Asian counterparts are also highlighted and may give important insights into the learning styles, behaviour and motivation of the students.