STUDY NOTEBOOK

LEARNING DELIVERY MODALITIES COURSE 2

MODULE 2:
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING
COMPETENCIES
(MELCs)
MODULE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this Module, you will be able to:

1. explain the background and development of the MELCs
2. unpack the MELCs
3. combine related competencies into learning objectives

MODULE CONTENT:

Lesson 1. Background, Rationale, and Development of MELCs

Lesson 2. Unpacking and Combining MELCs into Learning Objectives
LAC Session 2
LESSON 1: BACKGROUND, RATIONALE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MELCS
ACTIVITY 1.
Answer the following reflective questions in your Study Notebook:

1. The closure of schools around the world due to the global pandemic posed serious challenges
on the delivery of quality basic education. As a teacher, what do you think are the fundamental
concerns in terms of curriculum standards that need to be addressed in order to ensure learning
continuity? Cite a specific example. Do you think these concerns could be solved by teachers
alone? Why or why not?

• The crisis brought about by the COVID-19 has posted a lot of challenges for the Department
of Education especially to the teachers who are standing in the front line to provide the
continuity in education. As a teacher, I believe that narrowing down the learning
competencies has become a huge factor in order to deliver the only the most essential in this
time of pandemic. However, one of the major concerns to ensure that learning continues is
the implementation process itself. Given the shortage of resources, schools, teachers, and the
community itself are finding means to bridge the gap.

2. Even prior to the spread of COVID-19 that eventually led to the closure of schools nationwide,
the congested curriculum has been a perennial problem of teachers (Andaya, 2018). This is
perceived to be one of the hindering factors on the poor performance of Filipino learners. Do
you agree with this observation? Why or why not?

• I totally agree to this. The purpose of the curriculum is solely to achieve a higher standard of
education and to produce competitive learners. But due to its congested nature, students
cannot cope up with it and more often than not, teachers find it hard and time consuming to
teach all these competencies which seem to be repetitive and redundant resulting to poor
performance of the learners as well as the teachers.

ACTIVITY 2
Familiarize yourself with the course reading on the Development and Design of the MELCs. After going
through the document, provide a brief and concise response to the following guide questions. Write your
answers in your Study Notebook.

1. What are the general and specific purposes of the development of MELCs?
• The MELC is developed to allow students to study based on their abilities to learn skills or
competencies at their own pace. This method is tailored to meet different learning levels that
can lead to efficient learning outcomes through alternative learning delivery modalities. How
does curriculum review aid in the identification of essential learning competencies?
 2. What is the difference between essential learning competencies and desirable learning
competencies?
• Essential learning competencies are defined as what the students need, considered
indispensable, in the teaching-learning process to building skills to equip learners for
subsequent grade levels and subsequently, for lifelong learning. On the other hand, desirable
learning competencies were defined as what may enhance education but may not necessary
in building foundational skills.

3. How were the most essential learning competencies identified? What were the decisions made
in order to trim down the number of the essential learning competencies further?
• The MELCs were identified according to the gaps, issues and concerns across learning areas
and grade levels. The decisions were made due to the limited number of school days and the
absence of face-to-face instructions at this time of pandemic. Hence, narrowing down the
learning competencies is the best option the DepEd has come up with.

4. What is the importance of the MELCs in ensuring the delivery of quality instruction?
• The MELCs are made aligned with the national/local standards, applicable to real-life and are
the most essential competencies that students are expected to learn despite this pandemic.
The Department of Education has made sure that with limited resources, time, and the
absence of face-to-face instructions, learners would still get the the necessary competencies
the need to acquire through these MELCs.

ACTIVITY 3
Prepare a copy of your learning area’s original K-12 Curriculum Guide and corresponding list of
MELCs. Go to the sections of the curriculum guide and MELCs that are relevant to your instructional
needs. Copy and accomplish the following table in your Study Notebook and compare the two documents
to determine which learning competencies were retained, dropped, or merged.

K TO 12 LEARNING
MELCS
COMPETENCIES
3. determines arithmetic means
and nth term of an arithmetic determines arithmetic means, nth term
sequence.*** M10AL-Ib-c-1 of an arithmetic sequence and sum of the
MERGED/CLUSTERED
4. finds the sum of the terms of a terms of a given arithmetics sequence.
given arithmetic sequence.***
M10AL-Ic-2
1. generates patterns. *** M10AL- 3. generates patterns. *** M10AL-
RETAINED
Ia-1 Ia-1
 2. illustrates an arithmetic 4. illustrates an arithmetic
sequence M10AL-Ib-1 sequence M10AL-Ib-1

10.illustrates other types of sequences

DROPPED (e.g., harmonic, Fibonacci). M10AL-If-1

ACTIVITY 4
In your LAC Session, discuss and share your answers to Activities 1-3 in this lesson. Discuss any questions
about the MELCs that need clarification as well. Share your thoughts and let your co-teachers articulate
their insights regarding your questions. Jot down all the insights shared in the discussion, including your
own, in your Study Notebook.
LESSON 2: UNPACKING AND COMBINING MELCS INTO LEARNING OBJECTIVES

ACTIVITY 1
Familiarize yourself with the course reading on Unpacking and Combining the MELCs. After reading the
document, provide a brief and concise response to the following guide questions in your Study Notebook:

1. What is the importance of unpacking and combining the MELCs?

• By unpacking and combining the MELCs, we now have a clear path forward. This gives up a
deeper understanding on how these MELCs are selected. It will be much helpful for us to plan
on how are we going to implement our LCP more efficiently.

2. What considerations must be taken in unpacking and combining the MELCs? Explain each.
• The Most Essential Learning Competencies should be aligned to the content and performance
standards of the all the learning areas. Should be based on the learning needs of the learners.

3. Do all the MELCs need to be unpacked or combined? Why or why not?

• Of course, unpacking the MELCs are essential in order to have a systematic learning activity
so that the competencies needed by the learners are not congested or repetitive.

ACTIVITY 2

1. Form a group of four members within your LAC, preferably with fellow teachers in your
respective learning area.
2. Using the curriculum guide and a list of the MELCs, choose MELCs in the first quarter and unpack
these into learning objectives.
3. Each team will present their unpacked learning objectives. Discussion and processing will follow
each presentation. Suggestions and insights from each group will be considered in enhancing the
learning objectives.

Repeat the above process but instead of unpacking, each team will now combine at least two MELCs of
their choice. Group deliberation will be observed in order to arrive at a consensus. Discuss and jot down
the synthesis of the presentations in your Study Notebook.