In this study, the use of three different metaphors for the development of e-communities of learning in a blended modus is analyzed. During three academic years, two different metaphors (one of these with two variations) were proposed to three different cohorts of teacher students to develop the program of educational psychology during two semesters. The effects of these metaphors as implemented in the virtual space are analyzed in terms of their potential of creating a shared context, shared tools and shared goals in the course. More concretely, the first year, the metaphor used to create the e-community was a concrete, tangible ship. The second year, a house was proposed. Eventually, the third year a new ship was the leitmotif, however, with a much more abstract character. The qualitative interpretive analysis of the online participation and the end-of-course evaluation questionnaires revealed the quality criteria that will be presented in the symposium. These criteria must be considered in the context of an increasing use of social-networks such as facebook or similar sites. Hence, reflections on the use of virtual platforms versus web2.0 tools and social-network systems will also be addressed.