The Online Tool use and the Absorption of Social Studies Contents in a Learning Package of Non-Formal Education in an Indonesian Regency

The outbreak of COVID-19 made the learning process could not be done face to face. Under such condition, the online learning was virtually carried out as the way out. This study aimed to explore the effect of using WhatsApp as a learning tool, while taking into account student gender and age, on the absorbing of social study contents in distance learning among students in Malang Regency. These particular contents were developed virtually in learning package formats. This study used a quantitative approach. The data collection was carried out through a small survey by using online questionnaire, administering the Google Forms to 34 respondents. Using regression analysis, the results were as follows. The use of WhatsApps made difference in the attainment of learning contents. However, age did not influence significantly in understanding the materials. In addition, gender made no difference in the content understanding. Such findings opened up the possibility of exploring opportunities for further educational studies such as involving additional factors, assessing interactions, and moderating relationships between variables both at certain individual unit of analysis and across levels as well.