LDM2

Study Notebook
Module 2
(Most Essential Learning
Competencies)
 MODULE 2: MOST ESSENTIAL
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
(MELCs)
LESSON 1: BACKGROUND, RATIONALE, AND
DEVELOPMENT OF MELCS

ACTIVITY 1

Answer the following reflective questions.

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?

Answer:
One of the major concerns that needs to be addressed is the
proper dissemination of content knowledge to the students.
Although the DepEd made a solution to this by formulating
MELC’s, there are still some issues need to be resolved like the
medium of instruction. DepEd shows different alternative delivery
modes but to me, this would not work without the cooperation of
everyone
 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?

Answer:
I don’t think the curriculum is the problem. It is the
implementation. The curriculum had undergone different researches
before was being implemented. Maybe the reason is that, the
curriculum is slightly ideal

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.

1. What are the general and specific purposes of the development of

MELCs?

Answer:
The general purpose of the MELC’s is to ensure
quality, relevant and liberating education by reviewing
the competencies in K to 12 Curriculum. Before the
pandemic, there is already reviews done in the
competencies and there are plans to compress learning
competencies. The specific purpose is to map the
essential and desirable learning competencies and to
identify
2. How does curriculum review aid in the identification of essential learning
competencies?
Answer:
The review covered the following:

● Mapping of the essential and desirable learning

competencies within the curriculum;

● Identification of prerequisite knowledge and skills needed to

prepare students for essential learning competencies

● Analysis of the interconnectedness of prerequisite

knowledge and skills among the learning competencies for
each subject area.
3. What is the difference between essential learning competencies and
desirable learning competencies?

Answer:
Essential learning competencies were defined as what
the students need, considered indispensable, in the teaching-
learning process to build skills to equip learners for subsequent
grade levels and consequently, for lifelong learning. On the
other hand, desirable learning competencies were defined as
what may enhance education but may not be necessary in
building foundational skills.
4. 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?

Answer:
It started in identification of essential and desirable
learning competencies. Then, essential learning
competencies to most essential learning competencies. As a
rule, a learning competency is retained if it satisfies the
 endurance criterion which greatly contributes to life-long
learning and is a prerequisite skill to the next grade level.
Two or more learning competencies are merged or clustered
if they have the same objective or learning intention and can
therefore be combined into one comprehensive learning
competency. However, learning competencies are
removed/dropped due to the following reasons:

● These are too specific (and the articulation is similar to that

of a learning objective).
● These are deemed appropriate to be introduced in an earlier
quarter or grade level or moved to a later quarter or grade
level.
● These are recurring.
● These are subsumed in another learning competency.

5. What is the importance of the MELCs in ensuring the delivery of quality

instruction?

Answer:
The creation of most essential learning competencies is
a very long and comprehensive process. It undergone
different processes to ensure that learners will be educated
properly.

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 and
compare the two documents to determine which learning competencies
were retained, dropped, or merged.
 K to 12 Learning MELCs
Competencies
Distinguish how spore-bearing and
Merged/Clustered cone-bearing plant reproduce.
Discuss the interaction among
living-things and non-living things in
Discuss the interaction among living
tropical rainforest, coral reefs and
things and non-living things in
mangrove swaps.
tropical rain forest, coral reefs and
mangrove swamps.
Describe theappearance and uses Describe the appearance and uses
Retained
uniform and-uniform mixture.. uniform and non-uniform mixture.
Tell the benefits of separating
Dropped mixtures from products in N/A
community.

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.

Insights:

 MELC’s are a long-term response to the call of SDG4. It is already

been planned even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
 There is a big difference between online learning and digital
modular distance learning.
 Strong internet connection is a big problem in online learning.
 MELC’s are comprehensively compresses
 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:

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

Answer:
In order to systematize learning activities and
effectively address the varying needs of learners and the
challenges of instructional deliveries. It is also essential to
prevent redundancy that are visible to repetition of the lesson
which does not show spiral progression.

2. What considerations must be taken in unpacking and combining the MELCs?

Explain each.

Answer:
Prerequisite knowledge and skills must be taken
consideration. It is worth noting that the identified MELCS
cater to higher order cognitive demands. As such, lower
cognitive demands may be considered first in creating
learning objectives. This ensures that prerequisite
 knowledge and skills that would enable the achievements of
MELCS and eventually the content and performance
standards are address.
Logical sequence of learning objectives – since the intention
of unpacking the MELCS is to provide systematic learning
experiences for learners. It is incumbent that the unpacked
learning objectives follow a logical sequence.

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

Answer:
Yes, in order for the department to focus and prioritize
those that are essentials and can be used in the learner’s daily
lives.

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.

Attach presentation:
 ACTIVITY 3

Submit your Activity 2 Outputs to your LAC Leader. Make sure to keep a
copy of your outputs.

REFLECTION

Importance of MELC
1. To ensure quality education.
2. To ensure adherence to policies and guidelines set by DepEd

Outcome
Having completed this module the participants will be able to
 understand the importance of MELCs
 compare the K12 learning competencies and MELCs to determine
which learning competencies were retained, dropped, or merged
 unpacked and combine MELCs into learning objectives

This module consist of

 Lesson 1 Background, Rationale and Development of MELCs
 Lesson 2 Unpacking and Combining of MELCs into Learning
Objectives
 LAC Session