Abstract—The focus of this study is on the preliminary use and implementation of an e-learning pilot system based on an open source Learning Management System (LMS), the Moodle2.0, within a secondary school in Tuvalu. Tuvalu is one of the worlds Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which have insufficient band width currently available, in adequate infrastructure and resources such as electricity and a lack of skilled manpower. The recent innovations of e-learning and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the classroom have been enthusiastically met by students, teachers and administrators. The performance of the students who participated in activities designed for the Computer Studies subject and the data collected from questionnaires and surveys confirm the system’s potential for improving student skills in the use of technology and their motivation towards study. This includes the potential to bridge the wide gap Tuvaluan students previously faced when entering tertiary level of education outside Tuvalu, and proposals for education within Tuvalu in relation to e-learning and will outline the Education Department’s plans to introduce ICTs into education in an attempt to stay abreast with the rest of the world.

Index Terms—E-learning pilot system, least developed countries (LDCs), learning management system (LMS), Tuvalu

Atufenua Maui, Yoshimi Chisaki and Tsuyoshi Usagawa are with Kumamoto University, Japan (e-mail: maui@hicc.cs.kumamoto-u.ac.jp,chisaki@cs.kumamoto-u.ac.jp, tuie@cs.kumamoto-u.ac.jp).
Tony Kwato’o, is with Motufoua Secondary School, Tuvalu (e-mail:tontonsekete@gmail.com).
Ronald Vetter is with Kirwan Primary School, Townsville, Queensland,Australia (e-mail: rvett1@eq.edu.au).

Cite: Atufenua Maui, Tony Kwato’o, Ronald Vetter, Yoshifumi Chisaki, and Tsuyoshi Usagawa, "Preliminary Use of an E-learning Pilot System for Secondary Educational Institutions in Tuvalu: The Initial Implementation," International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 247-252, 2012.