Faculty/Staff Directory

Janet

Vigna

vignaj@gvsu.edu

Chair and Professor of Biology

3300F Kindschi Hall of Science

616-331-2592

Science Education, General Biology, Genetics

BIO 104 Biology for the 21st Century
BIO 205 Genetics (Integrated Science Major)
SCI 495 Integrated Science Capstone

Gateways to Completion (2022-present)

This Provost-supported project partners with the Gardner Institute for a faculty cohort model to support a data-driven, systematic, sustainable approach to course redesign for student success in high enrollment, multi-section courses.

Nonmajors Biology Curriculum Development - Biology for a Changing World Textbook (2006- present)

W.H. Freeman / Scientific American - Non-majors Biology textbook co-authored with Michele Shuster from New Mexico State University and Matt Tontonoz, a freelance science journalist.

We have developed a new pedagogical approach to teaching non-majors biology that has been class tested and peer-reviewed. The approach uses a complete integration of journalistic storylines, relevant content and iconic infographics to create an engaging and synergistic curriculum.  We continue to update and innovate this curriculum to support student success.  The text is currently in 4^th edition.  5^th edition is in development.

BC-STEM The Development and Implementation of an Interdisciplinary STEM Middle School Curriculum (2018-present)

This scholarship investigates the process of fully integrated curriculum design and implementation in the launch of a Battle Creek STEM Academy in a diverse community. The research investigates the creative development process for a fully integrated curriculum of Science, Engineering, Math, English and Social Studies, the relationships of in-service teachers and university faculty in the professional process, the role of administration in implementation success, and the pedagogical lens through which teachers must approach integrated curriculum in order for it to be successful.  The research has implications for productive university-school partnerships.

Curriculum Design, Implementation, & Teacher Transformation: A Study of a Novel STEM Middle School.  (2018-present).

This study utilizes Eisner’s Educational Criticism and Connoisseurship, as well as Portraiture and Critical Race Theory, in examining the process of developing and implementing a middle school STEM curriculum that is grounded in equity. There are implications for interdisciplinary curriculum development that is intentionally focused on equity, as well as teacher agency and university-school partnerships.

GVSU Academic Success Camp Pedagogy and Curriculum (2015-2021)

In collaboration with the Provost Office, Registrar, SASC, Academic Advising, Housing and other offices across campus, I co-coordinated and lead the Academic Success Camp at GVSU that works to facilitate academic development in students during their first year. This scholarship investigates the influence of the camp pedagogy on student self-efficacy, retention, and academic success.  This project has implications for future pedagogical approaches in first year classrooms.

 

Ph.D. Microbiology - The University of Iowa
B.S. Microbiology - The University of Michigan

Vigna, J., Tontonoz, M. and Shuster, M. (2024). Biology for a Changing World with Physiology. 5th edition (in preparation), New York City. W.H. Freeman / Scientific American. Textbook. https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/product/Scientific-American-Biology-for-a-Changing-World-with-Physiology/p/1319270964

Masko, Amy, Vigna, Janet, Kasmer, Lisa, Henderleiter, Julie, Oliver, Keith, Kristofer Pachla, Shreiner, Tamara L, Yu, Paul, (2024) "The Artfulness of Design Thinking in Addressing Interdisciplinarity in Curriculum Making: An Eisnerian Analysis," AERA 2024 conference proceedings.

Vigna, J. (2022). Biology for the 21st Century Lab Manual. Hayden-McNeil Publisher, Plymouth, MI.

Henderleiter, J., Kasmer, L. , Masko, A. L. , Pachla, K., Shreiner, T. L., Vigna, J., Warsen, G. D., Yu, P. W.,  Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Division of Chemical Education, American Chemical Society, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, (2022) "Launching a middle school STEM academy – lessons learned", Conference Proceedings.

Masko, Amy, Vigna, Janet, Kasmer, Lisa, Henderleiter, Julie, Oliver, Keith, Kristofer Pachla, Shreiner, Tamara L, Yu, Paul, (2022) (Re)imagining Curriculum for Equity: Analyzing a STEM Curriculum Through a Critical Aesthetic Lens. AERA 2022 conference proceedings.

Masko, Amy, Vigna, Janet, Kasmer, Lisa, Henderleiter, Julie, Oliver, Keith, Kristofer Pachla, Shreiner, Tamara L, Yu, Paul, (2021) Interdisciplinarity, Artistry, and Curricular Complexity: A Design and Evaluation Model Using Educational Criticism and Connoisseurship. AERA 2021 conference proceedings.

Mattox, S. Herrington, D. and Vigna, J. (2016) Grand Valley State University - Integration of Earth Science Content across Science Teacher Preparation Courses. Science Education Resource Center. 

Vigna, J. (2016) Equipping and Motivating Students to Succeed in Previously Failed Gateway Courses. Conference Proceedings Position Paper.  (2016) Process Education Conference. Allendale, MI.

Vigna, J. (2015) Using Mystery Tubes to Teach the Nature of Non-Science.   The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 77 No. 7, September 2015; (pp. 549-552)

Vigna, J. (2012). “Managing Multi-Section Mayhem: Creating Effective Instructional Communities in Multi- Section Courses” Conference Proceedings. ScholarWorks@GVSU

Vigna, J., Cymbola, J. S., DenUyl, J. L. (2011). In K. McMahon (Ed.), Curriculum Development as Professional Development:  A Model for Adjunct and Graduate Student Instructors Teaching Multi-Section Lab courses (vol. 32, pp. 400-401). Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching:  Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education. www.ableweb.org

Vigna, J. (2011). In K. McMahon (Ed.), Flatheads Pursue Diversity:  Beyond the Phases of Meiosis (vol. 32). Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching:  Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education. www.ableweb.org

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