This paper introduces the motion capture technology and its use in computer animation education. Motion capture is a powerful aid in the course of computer animation and a supplement to the traditional key-frame animation. We use professional cameras to record the motion of the actor and then manipulate the data in software to eliminate some occlusion and confusion errors. For data that is still not satisfying, using data filter to smooth the motion to cut some awry frames. Then we import the captured data into Motionbuilder to adjust the motion and preview the real-time animation. At last in Maya we combine the motion data and character model, let the character perform the captured data and add the scene model and music to export the whole animation. In the course of computer animation, we use this method to design the animation of military boxing, basketball playing and folk dancing.