Service-learning in perspective. John Dewey as a historical reference

John Dewey as a Historical Reference

Abstract

Service-learning methodology is a relatively new concept, since it was born at the beginning of the 20th Century, yet its name was not finally coined until relatively recent times. The pioneer for most authors is the well-known philosopher and pedagogue John Dewey, to whom we may refer in a specific section, given his contribution to the informant philosophy of this methodology. We are interested in examining to what extent his pedagogic work is reflected in what we know today as service-learning.
The real boom occurred in the last third of the century, especially in the United States. Yet it did not reach Europe until the 90’s of the last century, and it might be said, its existence in Spain is barely noticeable until the inauguration of the new century.