File this under “If you can’t beat them, join them.”

Some school officials try to prevent students from tweeting in class. But others are embracing social media as a learning tool, saying sites like Twitter can expand discussions beyond a classroom’s four walls.

Chris Lazarski teaches public policy at Wauwatosa West High School in suburban Milwaukee. The 41-year-old joined a national San Francisco-based program that encourages kids to tweet their reactions to current events.

Some parents say they’re worried about their kids being exposed to social media in school.

But Lazarski says with proper oversight, students learn an important lesson on how to use Twitter for research and communication.

He also says the program allows his students to debate with kids in other states, expanding the diversity of opinion.