To further enhance students' understanding of multi-threaded program behavior, several visual and interactive techniques could be integrated into the learning tool. One effective approach would be to implement dynamic visualizations that illustrate the execution flow of threads in real-time. This could include animated representations of thread states (e.g., running, waiting, blocked) and transitions, allowing students to observe how threads interact and compete for resources.
Additionally, incorporating interactive simulations where students can manipulate thread execution order or introduce delays could provide hands-on experience with concepts like race conditions and deadlocks. For instance, a drag-and-drop interface could allow learners to reorder events and immediately see the impact on program output, reinforcing their understanding of execution order and variable state changes.
Another valuable technique would be to use color-coded timelines that display the execution history of each thread alongside the corresponding variable states. This would help students visualize the interleaving of thread operations and the resulting changes in shared variables. Furthermore, integrating quizzes and challenges that require students to predict outcomes based on modified code or trace tables could promote active learning and critical thinking.