Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
Course Code: PERF5075C
Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Michelle Deans
Michelle.deans@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There are no pre-requistes or co-requisites for this course.
Course Description
In this course you develop the skills and knowledge required to operate as a freelance writer and editor. You learn how to plan strategically, to promote yourself and your business, to negotiate terms of employment and to manage the financial and business aspects of freelance work.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFIND401A Provide services on a freelance basis |
Element: |
1 Promote yourself to potential employers |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Establish, follow up and regularly maintain business contacts within industry |
Element: |
2. Negotiate work arrangements |
Performance Criteria: |
8. Establish clear performance outcomes for jobs and agree on fees, schedules and expenses |
Element: |
3 Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work |
Performance Criteria: |
16. Seek advice on and determine the most appropriate way of operating as a freelancer |
Element: |
4. Undertake strategic planning |
Performance Criteria: |
25. Identify and implement strategies that help identify work opportunities at an early stage |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- market yourself to potential clients
- negotiate work contracts
- develop and maintain effective records and financial documentation
- plan strategically in a way that takes into account the need for adequate cash flow
Details of Learning Activities
In-class activities may include:
- lectures
- industry speakers
- teacher directed activities
- class exercises
- class role plays.
Out-of-class activities will include:
- online research
- project work.
Teaching Schedule
WEEK | CLASS CONTENT | ASSESSMENTS | |
1 | Introduction to course |
Assessment 1: Freelance Business Plan - Assessment brief handed out |
|
2 | Online Skills Focus 1: Setting goals |
|
|
3 |
Online Skills Focus 2: Marketing yourself Developing a Marketing Plan including: |
Submit DRAFT Assessment 1 Business plan for review by 11 May 2015 Assessment 3 Negotiate, quote and invoice Available on Blackboard |
|
4 |
Online Skills Focus 3: Working as a Freelancer Financial and compliance skills including: |
Submit Assessment 2 Online bio by 22 May 2015 | |
5 |
SEMINAR Panel discussion: |
Teacher assesses student role plays in class Submit FINAL Assessment 1 Business plan by 30 May 2015 |
|
6 |
Finalise Assessment 3 |
Submit Assessment 3 Quote, agreement and invoice by 5 June 2015 |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed texts |
References
Other Resources
Notes and references available on Blackboard.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard (refer to MyRMIT for assessment criteria). You will receive feedback on all assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 1 and 2 (refer to My RMIT for grading rubric).
1. Business Plan - due 30 May (Draft due for review on 11 May)
You develop a personal business plan that identifies the business aims and objectives, finances, long and short-term goals and a SWOT analysis. This assessment is graded.
2. Online bio - due 22 May
You create copy for the website or other relevant online site for the real or imagined freelance business described in your business plan. This assessment is graded.
3. Quote and negotiate, draft a contract and issue an invoice - due 5 June
You engage in a simulation, which involves you role playing (in class and via email with your partner) to develop a quote, notes for a draft agreement and a professionally formatted invoice.
Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Criteria for the graded assessments can be found on the course Blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. Non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in a course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.
Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
Course Overview: Access Course Overview