Architectural Record Launches First-Ever Continuing Education Mobile App Allowing Design and Construction Professionals to Earn CEU Credits On-the-Go

NEW YORK, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Architectural Record, part of McGraw-Hill Construction and the leading provider of continuing education for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) community, is celebrating a number of digital "wins" this week, as it counts its 320,000th Twitter follower and launches the first-of-its-kind continuing education mobile app, McGraw-Hill Construction's 8th app to appear online and in the iTunes App Store. As it catapults toward an increasingly digital, intelligence-driven business model, McGraw-Hill Construction remains tethered to an age-old approach — a solid focus on its customers.

"Given our leadership in the market, this was the right time to break away with the first-ever continuing education app, something we know our customers need," said Keith Fox, president, McGraw-Hill Construction. "We continue to accelerate our digital strategy and capabilities. In the past week, we've launched three new apps, including this one. A social and mobile approach to customer needs is essential and we are in a position to deliver the most innovative, useful products on the market."

The first app of its kind and sponsored by Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Systems, Architectural Record's new continuing education app offers a fast, convenient and free way for architects, LEED APs, and other AEC professionals to learn, take tests, and earn continuing education credits for licensure and association membership. By taking courses on their smart phones and tablets, AEC professionals can earn American Institute of Architects (AIA) CEU credits and Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) continuing education hours for U.S. Green Building Council LEED credential maintenance. The app offers hundreds of free courses, a Credit Tracker with a record of tests and credits earned, credit reporting to the AIA, a certificate of completion for successfully passed tests, and downloadable courses for future and offline viewing. Test-takers' progress can also be conveniently saved and resumed at any time.

"This is the app architects have told us they've been waiting for," said Laura Viscusi, publisher, Architectural Record. "We developed it with them in mind, and the initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive."

Architectural Record spearheaded distance learning in 1997 and is the single largest provider of continuing education courses to the profession. It is also the only continuing education provider offering courses from the award-winning editorial teams at Architectural Record and GreenSource Magazine and manufacturing/technical experts in the field. Over the years, more than 900,000 AIA-approved learning units have been earned through Architectural Record magazine, the Online Continuing Education Center, and at events. Nearly 27,000 architects and design professionals take these courses each year.

To tout another digital milestone, Architectural Record's industry-leading Twitter account, @ArchRecord, is a recognized force in the architectural community online — now with 320,000 followers, making it tops in its market sector. @ArchRecord offers breaking news, event quips, special offers, stunning photographs, community-based commentary, and a personal connection to the Architectural Record team. The account remains an essential resource (#1 on Twitter, WeFollow and other sites) for architecture experts online.

To download the app, visit the iTunes App Store. To become the 320,001st follower of ArchRecord, visit http://twitter.com/archrecord.

About McGraw-Hill Construction:

McGraw-Hill Construction's data, analytics, and media businesses — Dodge, Sweets, Architectural Record, and Engineering News-Record — create opportunities for owners, architects, engineers, contractors, building product manufacturers, and distributors to strengthen their market position, size their markets, prioritize prospects, and target and build relationships that will win more business. McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers through its trends and forecasts, industry news, and leading platform of construction data, benchmarks, and analytics. To learn more, visit www.construction.com.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

McGraw-Hill (NYSE: MHP) announced on September 12, 2011, its intention to separate into two public companies: McGraw-Hill Financial, a provider of content and analytics to global financial markets, and McGraw-Hill Education, an education company focused on digital learning and education services worldwide. McGraw-Hill Financial's leading brands include Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Indices, Platts energy information services, McGraw-Hill Construction, and J.D. Power and Associates. With sales of $6.2 billion in 2010, the Corporation has approximately 21,000 employees across more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Construction