Placating plato with plates of pasta: An interactive tool for teaching the dining philosophers problem

There has been a recent surge in the need for computer science educational resources. Often, this need is addressed with computer-based learning tools. However, many of these tools target coding skills and software design rather than teaching foundational topics. This work proposes an interactive tool for teaching process management using the common abstraction of the Dining Philosophers Problem. We demonstrate the effectiveness and entertainment value of this tool with feedback from undergraduate students enrolled in computer science courses. We believe this type of educational tool more adequately addresses the upcoming need for additional teaching resources in computer science, especially when used in conjunction with a traditional teaching environment.