Because so many of the friars' duties demanded relatively high levels of education, it was only natural that their convents should serve not only as monastic residences and bases of operations but also as training centers. Indeed, as members of an Order expressly devoted to the propagation of true orthodox doctrine by means of sermons and other forms of public teaching, the Preachers considered thorough education of their own brethren to be among their most important pursuits. Teaching and learning went on among the Dominicans at all times and at all levels, with friars being obliged to devote at least part of their daily routine to regular study. In addition a significant proportion of the population in many convents was dedicated to full-time tasks of delivering or hearing lectures on specialized topics.

Fortunately, this dimension of Dominican life is relatively well documented, especially for the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries in the Crown of Aragon. Order-wide educational legislation has been preserved for all periods in the proceedings of the General Chapters. Details concerning specific assignments of students and teachers can also be gleaned from surviving Chapter acta of the Spanish and Aragonese Provinces.