Because, today's students tend to be more digitally savvy, mobile and transitory, socially connected, and more democratic in their worldview, higher education needs to find innovative and attractive ways to help students respond to the needs of opening up and the requirements of economic and social development. Higher education has to find a way to increase students' interest in academia by providing opportunities for deeper, more meaningful, and connected learning, in creating a practice ground for skill development within a meaningful context. Virtual learning communities, a 21st century requirement on education, can help to prepare students for work environments during college and after graduation and easily get students involved into community. The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of building virtual learning communities among students, focusing on availability and accessibility of course material from any location as a benefit of e-learning, on the advantage of flexible study, at a time and pace suited to the student, and also the importance of virtual interaction with other students or teachers. Online revision and practice exercises and the possibility of using virtual learning communities in preparing for online exams are two other benefits of building virtual learning communities, which are being evaluated during our survey. Also, the frequency students access virtual learning communities it is also one of the questions included in this survey. Overall, during this study it is emphasised the fact that virtual learning communities have the potential to create more authentic and experiential learning spaces for students.

virtual learning communities, higher education, authentic learning.