Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is 'c. Communication', which is the passing of information and ideas and establishing understanding between the sender and receiver.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication is defined as the passing of information, the exchange of ideas, and the process of establishing a commonness of thought between sender and receiver. The correct answer to the student's question is c. Communication. This term encompasses various forms, including talking on a cell phone, texting, writing, and even non-human animal communication techniques. Communication is a crucial aspect of transmitting shared and accumulated knowledge, beliefs, and values between individuals, groups, and generations, often utilizing learned symbols such as speech and writing.
The process of encoding, on the other hand, refers to the input of information into the memory system, where our brains label or code it. Encoding information involves organizing it with other similar information and connecting new concepts to existing concepts. While encoding is a fundamental part of the communication process, particularly in the formulation of messages, it is not the broad activity of information exchange described in the question.