Educational thought is a system with various structures. When we realize his structure, we can clearly understand the different forms and types of educational thought. According to the present situation of educational thought and practice in China, educational thought can be divided into three parts: theoretical education thought, policy education thought and practical education thought.
(1) Theoretical educational thought: It refers to the educational thought studied by educational theorists, which exists in an abstract theoretical form. The development of modern education cannot be separated from the guidance of specialized and systematic educational theories, which is necessary for China's current educational reform and modernization. The formation and development of theoretical education thought is an important symbol that modern education is different from ancient education, and it is also an important driving force for the continuous reform, development and progress of modern education.
(2) Policy-oriented educational thought: refers to the educational thought embodied in educational laws, regulations and policies, and it is the educational thought shown by the state and its government in the process of managing and developing educational undertakings.
The thought of policy education embodies the educational thought of our country and our people's government, represents the interests and requirements of the broad masses of the people, and is a scientific analysis and understanding of the nature, status, role and task of China's current education, the quality, specifications and standards of talent training, and the basic ways of talent training. Policy-oriented education thought is an important part of a country's or a nation's education thought system, which plays an important role in the historical development of human education thought and practice.
(3) Practical education thought: refers to the educational thought formed by educational theorists or practitioners who face educational practice and theoretically think about solving practical educational problems. Practical education thought is an organic part of the whole educational thought system, and it is the basic form and link of the function and function that educational thought can guide and serve educational practice. It studies the problems of educational practice, solves the problems of technology, skills and methods of educational activities, and realizes the function of guiding and serving educational practice with educational ideas.