Observation when changing gear
When considering 'observation when changing gears' with learner drivers, the initial emphasis will often be helping them to change gear without looking down at the gear lever!
Here we are making an assumption that you are not in the habit of looking at the gear lever (at least we very much hope that you're not!) - this page concerns you all around awareness and planning when changing gear.
The fact that you are considering a gear change means that there must be:
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A change in the road or traffic situation ahead
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That you are planning to change speed
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That you need more power to accelerate of climb a hill
- That you need a lower gear to help hold the car back when descending a steep hill.
In other words, gear changes are made when something is changing ahead. Before you take action to deal with the changing situation ahead (or change speed) you must check the situation behind. This means that every gear change must be preceded with a mirror check. This check may simply be to confirm that things have not changed since your last mirror check (which may have been only seconds before).
Remembering that, with the exception of using a lower gear to hold the car back when descending a hill, you are changing gears to 'go' - to drive the car forwards. With this in mind you will be using the engine power to maintain (initially) and/or increase speed, therefore, it's essential to know whether other drivers are trying to overtake you otherwise you could find yourself in trouble!
Looking ahead
Although it may seem obvious that you should not look at the gear lever (as mentioned above), you might be surprised at just many drivers glance down subconsciously.
Make sure that you always look well ahead when making gear changes. This becomes especially important if your gear change techniques are changing as your driving improves.
Initially, your new method of gear changing will not be an 'unconscious action' and so might become a distraction in itself – looking down could turn a minor distraction into a major problem!
Next: Step 5 - Selective gear changing.